A human brain test bed for research in large vessel occlusion stroke

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Mechanical thrombectomy is a standard treatment for large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke.
• Current testing platforms have limitations in simulating real-world conditions.
• Improved testing is crucial for developing advanced endovascular technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a hybrid testing platform for LVO stroke using cadaveric human brains.
• To evaluate the interaction between endovascular devices, emboli, and cerebral vasculature under physiological conditions.
• To provide a more sophisticated simulation for mechanical thrombectomy research.

Main Methods:

• A hybrid platform was created using cadaveric human brains, a hydraulic system for physiological flow, and realistic embolus analogs.
• Large vessel occlusion stroke cases were simulated in both anterior and posterior cerebral circulations.
• Mechanical thrombectomy procedures were performed using suction catheters and stent retrievers.

Main Results:

• The platform enabled radiation-free visualization of thrombectomy in realistic cerebrovascular anatomy and flow.
• 105 LVO cases and 184 thrombectomy passes were successfully replicated across 12 human brains.
• Recanalization rates were assessed using a validated RELVO scale.

Conclusions:

• The developed human brain platform accurately simulates artery-embolus-device interactions.
• It allows analysis under physiological hemodynamic conditions within native cerebral vasculature.
• This platform offers a significant advancement for testing mechanical thrombectomy devices for LVO stroke.