Simulated Use Vascular Flow Systems

BDC Labs personnel has extensive expertise in experimentally modeling the cardiovascular system through in vitro vascular flow networks. Dr. Craig Weinberg design, constructed and operated a mock pulmonary cardiovascular network for the development of novel ultrasound techniques in the measurement of pulmonary reactivity in children with pulmonary hypertension. In this project, all aspects of the design, operation and data acquisition were developed by Dr. Weinberg. As an iterative process, the simulated network evolved from a simple pulsatile system with representative pressure and flow waveforms and equivalent local arterial compliance to be completely computer controlled and integrated for data acquisition and optimized for Doppler and Color-M mode ultrasound modalities.

BDC Labs has since been contracted to develop a flow apparatus to simulate the flow pattern in the superior vena cava (SVC) for quantification of fluid recirculation in a novel dialysis catheter design. This network targeted a representative temporal profile with both forward and reversal of flow as seen in the SVC. Furthermore, two pump systems were implimented for both cardiac output as well as dialysis catheter flow.