No abstract

We first developed a model of the normal human left heart and simulated blood and clarified the relationship between catheter insertion load and temperature in the coronary artery. The close feeling to insert a catheter into human vessels could be reproduced for medical staff. We also developed an arteriovenous circulation simulator (AVCS), simulating the normal heart and blood vessels, reproduced hemodynamics and simulated angiography and catheterization procedures. Using an auxiliary artificial heart, simulated blood was circulated through AVCS and blood pressure was set to 120/72 mmHg of peripheral vascular resistance by a pressure gradient regulator. Because the increase in contrast agent volume in the circulation fluid of AVCS affects X-ray fluoroscopy, we also developed methods for neutralization and removal of ionic contrast agents. The developed AVCS enabled to simulate following procedures: Guiding catheterization; directional coronary atherectomy (DCA); balloon catheterization; and stent delivery system introduction.