Investigating the Relationship Between Clinical Image Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of In Vitro Thrombi in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Comprehensive Analysis About Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke, currently ranked as the second leading cause of mortality and the most prevalent source of enduring disability, imposes significant societal and economic consequences. These consequences encompass the necessity for extended care, rehabilitation, and the economic burdens associated with lost productivity. In the diagnostic process,...

Local analysis of biomechanical arterial wall factors in atherosclerotic coronary arteries

Atherosclerosis is an arterial condition characterized by the accumulation mainly of lipid tissue, resulting in the narrowing and stiffening of arteries. It is the leading cause of death among cardiovascular diseases and its development has been associated with wall shear (WSS) and wall mechanical stress (WMS). This study aimed to analyse WSS...

From CTA to 3D modelling: A computational framework for morphometrical assessment and biomechanical analysis of atherosclerotic carotid arteries

Background: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries is an established predictor of these events. Ideally, patient-specific prevention plans can be developed that target advanced plaque development prior to events. Morphometry of advanced calcified plaque phenotypes can be assessed through...

Towards the next generation of 3D printing method for printing microfiltration membranes

Current membrane fabrication processes are not sustainable as they are energy-intensive and require hazardous solvents. Additive manufacturing, due to its low waste production and the absence of harmful chemicals, can provide a more sustainable membrane manufacturing process. Up to this point, there was no way to 3D-print a membrane that meets...

The Mechanical and Chemical Characterization of a 3D Printed Ear Implant

Utilizing manufacturing-induced stresses for obtaining non-monostable compliant mechanisms

A broad range of bistable, multi-stable and neutrally stable compliant mechanisms have been developed over the years. These non-monostable systems show great potential for deployment in e.g. the medical, the manufacturing and the precision industry. Often the presence of prestress is a requirement for obtaining non-monostability within the realm...

Characterization and Processing of Elastomers for Organ-on-Chip Applications

The current standard for organ-on-chip substrate materials is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). PDMS has many beneficial properties such as biocompatibility, transparency, elasticity, and easy prototyping. The main disadvantages of PDMS are its hydrophobicity (reducing cell attachment and cell proliferation), quick hydrophobic recovery (within a few...

Development of a computational thrombus model using finite element software LS-DYNA

An acute ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and is caused by a thrombus that occludes a cerebral artery. This thrombus reduces the cerebral blood flow and causes irreversible brain tissue damage. Mechanical thrombectomy is a safe and effective technique to remove the thrombus from the cerebral arteries and restore the brain's...

Neutrally stable shells with embedded actuation

Elastically neutrally stable structures are compelling within the field of compliant mechanisms, since no force is required to deform them. Several examples of this state of elastic neutral stability exist, which often use equal but opposing structures to balance internal forces. This thesis is on the design of an active neutrally stable...

Exploring the performance of 3D-printed custom piston-cylinder systems

<b>Background</b> Pneumatic actuators are widely used in applications like (medical) robots, or prosthetics. They require tight tolerances to keep them leakage-free. Over the last decade 3D-printing, or additive manufacturing, has emerged as a cost-effective production method in these applications.<br/><b>Objective</b> The goal of this research...

Towards Neutrally Stable Compliant Shells

Elastic neutral stability involves elastic deformation without stiffness or loads. It is a remarkable appearance, since the deformation of materials is normally associated with an increase of potential energy and a resulting opposing reaction force or moment. Neutrally stable mechanisms can be used to overcome unnecessary actuation which makes...

Bioprinting of Zonal Cartilage Scaffolds Using Different Cell Densities: A biomimetic approach on cartilage regeneration

The use of allografts for the treatment of critical size cartilage defects holds disadvantages including the limited number of donors and the compromised chondrocyte viability. These limitations have prompted researchers to explore different options, such as cartilage engineering. Bioprinting, a promising tissue engineering technique, could be...

Evaluation of Shear Properties of Hydrogel: Thermoplastic Based Tissue Equivalents for Articular Cartilage

Composite constructs made from gelatin methylacrylamide (gelMA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) have been proven as promising materials to form tissue equivalents which can be used to alleviate the problems arising due to damage of articular cartilage. Despite exhibiting an increase of compressive stiffness (up to 54 - fold) by synergistic...

A Novel Approach to Estimating the Material Properties of Atherosclerotic Plaque Tissue

The majority of cardiovascular clinical events, which are the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, are caused by atherosclerotic plaque rupture. This biomechanical event occurs when the local plaque stresses exceed its strength. The plaque stresses can be assessed by computational models to predict these events. Current approaches...