Particle image velocimetry of 3D printed vascular fluidic phantom devices

Altered hemodynamics play a key role in cerebrovascular diseases such as aneurysms and stenosis. However, in vivo imaging lacks the spatial resolution required to resolve flow dynamics in small vessels. This study presents an experimental framework to investigate microscale hemodynamics using transparent 3D-printed vascular models and particle image velocimetry (PIV). Optically transparent microfluidic models with straight and pathological (aneurysmal and stenotic) geometries were fabricated via additive manufacturing up to a minimum diameter size of 500 µm and characterized using optical microscopy. Flow experiments were conducted under steady laminar conditions, and local velocity fields and wall shear stress (WSS) were measured using micro-PIV. Measured velocities have been compared with analytical Hagen-Poiseuille predictions, obtaining mean relative errors of 5-17%. The platform reliably captured key flow features and spatial variations in velocity. Overall, the results demonstrate that transparent 3D-printed vascular models combined with micro-PIV provide a robust experimental approach for studying microscale cerebrovascular hemodynamics.