Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) cryogel phantoms for use in physiological pulsating arterial flow construction and flow dynamics characterization

This paper studied the flow dynamics of a simulated physiological pulsating arterial flow by constructing flow circulation system and performing ultrasound imaging experiments. Polyvinyl Alcohol material was used to fabricate elastic vessel phantom. The mechanical and acoustical properties of the phantoms were characterized. The Young´s modulus increases from 19.89 kPa for one cycle to 280.22 kPa for eight cycles. The speed of sound and the sound attenuation increase with free-thaw cycles. The Echopiv measuring results show good parabolic flow profile at two different time periods. The results of this paper could provide basis for following research on how arterial elasticity influence flow dynamics.