Flow model
A flow model is described. The flow model may include one or more distal arteries that drain into a reservoir, preferably, a sealed cavity. Pumps and artificial organs, such as an artificial human heart, may be used to create a more lifelike experience. One or more neurovascular devices, such as thrombectomy devices, may be deployed in the simulated blood vessels for training purposes.
1. A flow model comprising:
a pump configured to transport a liquid;
a reservoir downstream from the pump and configured to hold a liquid;
at least one distal artificial artery downstream from the pump and upstream from the reservoir, the at least one artificial artery generally tubular in shape, the at least one distal artificial artery comprising an open proximal end and an open distal end, the open distal end not connected to a tube and located in the reservoir, the at least one distal artificial artery configured to transport a liquid from the open proximal end to the open distal end and into the reservoir;
at least one artificial vein downstream from the reservoir and the at least one distal artificial artery and configured to transport a liquid from the reservoir,
wherein the pump is configured to pump the liquid from the pump, into the at least one distal artificial artery open proximal end, then into the at least one distal artificial artery open distal end, then into the reservoir, and then into the at least one artificial vein, and
further wherein the flow model is in the form of a manikin comprising at least a head portion comprising the at least one distal artificial artery and a chest portion comprising an artificial heart.
2. The flow model of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is sealed.
3. The flow model of claim 1 wherein the reservoir is located in the head portion.
4. The flow model of claim 3 wherein the head portion comprises an artificial nose and further wherein the at least one artificial vein has a proximal end located in the artificial nose.
5. The flow model of claim 1 wherein the at least one artificial vein is configured to at least partially return the liquid back to the pump after exiting the reservoir.
6. The flow model of claim 1 wherein the flow model comprises a plurality of distal artificial arteries comprising an open distal end not connected to a tube and configured to drain into the reservoir.
7. The flow model of claim 6 further wherein at least some of the plurality of distal artificial arteries are curved.
8. The flow model of claim 1 wherein the pump is battery-powered.
9. The flow model of claim 1 wherein the pump comprises a motor and an on and off switch.
10. The flow model of claim 1 wherein the reservoir comprises animal blood or artificial animal blood.
11. The flow model of claim 1 wherein at least a segment of the at least one distal artificial artery has a diameter of less than about 35 micrometers.
12. The flow model of claim 1 wherein the pump is at least partially located in the chest portion.
13. The flow model of claim 1 wherein the artificial heart further comprises at least one proximal artificial artery downstream from the pump, upstream from the at least one distal artificial artery, at least partially located in the heart, and comprising at least one valve.
14. The flow model of claim 1 wherein the flow model further comprises at least one proximal artificial artery comprising an open proximal end connected to the heart and an open distal end attached to a proximal connector.
15. The flow model of claim 14 wherein the flow model further comprises at least one intermediate artificial artery comprising an open proximal end removably attached to the proximal connector and an open distal end.
16. The flow model of claim 15 wherein the open distal end of the at least one intermediate artificial artery is connected to a distal connector.
17. The flow model of claim 16 wherein the distal connector is located in a neck portion of the manikin and the distal connector connects a plurality of pairs of blood vessels simultaneously.
18. The flow model of claim 17 wherein the at least one intermediate artery is curved.
19. The flow model of claim 18 wherein the at least one intermediate artery comprises an arch.
20. A flow model comprising:
a pump configured to transport a liquid;
a reservoir downstream from the pump and configured to hold a liquid;
at least one distal artificial artery downstream from the pump and upstream from the reservoir, the at least one artificial artery generally tubular in shape, the at least one distal artificial artery comprising an open proximal end and an open distal end, the open distal end not connected to a tube and located in the reservoir, the at least one distal artificial artery configured to transport a liquid from the open proximal end to the open distal end and into the reservoir;
at least one artificial vein downstream from the reservoir and the at least one distal artificial artery and configured to transport a liquid from the reservoir,
wherein the pump is configured to pump the liquid from the pump, into the at least one distal artificial artery open proximal end, then into the at least one distal artificial artery open distal end, then into the reservoir, and then into the at least one artificial vein, and further wherein the reservoir is located in an artificial human head.
21. A flow model comprising:
a pump configured to transport a liquid;
a reservoir downstream from the pump and configured to hold a liquid;
a plurality of artificial arteries downstream from the pump and upstream from the reservoir, the plurality of artificial arteries generally tubular in shape, the plurality of artificial arteries each comprising an open proximal end and an open distal end, the open distal ends not connected to a tube and located in the reservoir, the plurality of artificial arteries configured to transport a liquid from the open proximal ends to the open distal ends and into the reservoir;
at least one artificial vein downstream from the reservoir and the plurality of distal artificial arteries and configured to transport a liquid from the reservoir,
wherein the pump is configured to pump the liquid from the pump, through the plurality of artificial arteries, then into the reservoir, and then into the at least one artificial vein.