Background: Compliant vascular phantoms are desirable for in-vitro patient-specific experiments and device\r\ntesting. TangoPlus FullCure 930W is a commercially available rubber-like material that can be used for PolyJet rapid\r\nprototyping. This work aims to gather preliminary data on the distensibility of this material, in order to assess the\r\nfeasibility of its use in the context of experimental cardiovascular modelling.\r\nMethods: The descending aorta anatomy of a volunteer was modelled in 3D from cardiovascular magnetic\r\nresonance (CMR) images and rapid prototyped using TangoPlus. The model was printed with a range of increasing\r\nwall thicknesses (0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.5 mm), keeping the lumen of the vessel constant. Models were also printed\r\nin both vertical and horizontal orientations, thus resulting in a total of ten specimens. Compliance tests were\r\nperformed by monitoring pressure variations while gradually increasing and decreasing internal volume. Knowledge\r\nof distensibility was thus derived and then implemented with CMR data to test two applications. Firstly, a\r\npatient-specific compliant model of hypoplastic aorta suitable for connection in a mock circulatory loop for in-vitro\r\ntests was manufactured. Secondly, the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) of a patient necessitating pulmonary\r\nvalve replacement was printed in order to physically test device insertion and assess patientââ?¬â?¢s suitability for\r\npercutaneous pulmonary valve intervention.\r\nResults: The distensibility of the material was identified in a range from 6.5 Ã?â?? 10-3 mmHg-1 for the 0.6 mm case, to\r\n3.0 Ã?â?? 10-3 mmHg-1 for the 1.5 mm case. The models printed in the vertical orientation were always more compliant\r\nthan their horizontal counterpart. Rapid prototyping of a compliant hypoplastic aorta and of a RVOT anatomical\r\nmodel were both feasible. Device insertion in the RVOT model was successful.\r\nConclusion: Values of distensibility, compared with literature data, show that TangoPlus is suitable for\r\nmanufacturing arterial phantoms, with the added benefit of being compatible with PolyJet printing, thus\r\nguaranteeing representative anatomical finishing, and quick and inexpensive fabrication. The appealing possibility\r\nof printing models of non-uniform wall thickness, resembling more closely certain physiological scenarios, can also\r\nbe explored. However, this material appears to be too stiff for modelling the more compliant systemic venous\r\nsystem.
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