Simulation, Fabrication and Analysis of Microchannels for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

The use of bioengineered veins can benefit humans needing bypass surgery and dialysis. The implant of microchannel (bio-microdevice) as a replacement of varicose veins has significant advantages over the conventional treatment methods. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), vein patch repair, pulmonary embolus, and tissuedamaging problems can be solved with this implant. Around 26% adult people mostly females are affected by varicose veins in old age. It is a common reason of distress, loss of efficiency and worsening the living conditions. Several traditional treatment techniques (sclerotherapy and foam sclerotherapy of large veins, laser surgeries and radiofrequency, vein ligation and stripping, ambulatory phlebectomy and endoscopic vein surgery) have been adopted for treatment and proper handling of this disease. This research presents biomedical microdevices as an alternative for varicose veins. MATLAB and ANSYS Fluent have been used for simulation of blood flow through bioengineered veins with real and actual conditions. The silver based ascending and descending sinusoidal microchannels have been fabricated by using the micromachining process. These microchannels can be inserted into varicose veins as a replacement to maintain the excellent blood flow in human legs. This study presents an alternative method for implant of ascending and descending sinusoidal microchannels (ASMC and DSMC) for varicose vein. After simulation and fabrication, experimental testing was performed. All simulated and experimental results are in a close agreement with real time conditions. Consequently, ASMC and DSMC can be implanted in varicose veins as a new treatment to continue the excellent blood flow in human legs from the same place to avoid tissue damaging and other problems.