Development of an MRI-compatible mock circulatory loop

Abstract

This project involved the construction and analysis of a mock circulatory loop that is compatible with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and can replicate flow conditions in vitro. Several experiments that involve flows which may be encountered in biological conditions were carried out and the relevant data was collected. In all cases, the SONOFLOW CO.55 Flow Sensor was used to read the flow to provide a reference value to the data collected. The first experiment involved Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), where a video of the fluid flowing in a clear tube was analyzed using associated software packages, in this case PIVLab. Subsequentially, experiments utilizing Phase Contrast-MRI (PCMRI) were employed, conducted using the GE Signa Premier 3T located at PracticePoint and supervised by an MRI Operator. Over several trials, the magnitude and direction of flow were varied to observe how the velocity profile of the fluid changed under these conditions. From the PCMRI Experiments, a series of Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files were obtained and post-processed in MATLAB to obtain the readings of velocity and flow at each position. The same technique was applied in our Backward Facing Step (BFS) test section, which allowed us to image the more complex flow that arises from this geometry. This project provides the basis to which future projects can build off of, with this project demonstrating how both PIV and PCMRI can be used to analyze the flow of fluid through a subject and post-processed using the relevant software. This project has important implications for helping to resolve issues relating to heart disease and other health conditions that pertain to fluid flow in the human body