Pulsatile Flow Test Rig for Implantable Vascular Sensors Bench-Top Testing

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a serious vascular condition involving the abnormal dilation of the abdominal aorta, with potential risk of rupture. In-vitro models play a vital role in improving understanding of the disease, assessing rupture risk, and evaluating treatment strategies. This work presents a custom-designed, modular test rig for detailed investigation of AAA and other vascular models. The system features a rectangular tank with two circular ports, connected to a pulsatile flow loop driven by a FlowTek 125 pump. Custom 3D-printed adapters allow integration with pressure sensors (Honeywell MPR series) and catheter-based Millar sensors (SPR-524). A dedicated data acquisition (DAQ) system, built around an Arduino Nano Sense board, enables real-time monitoring of flow and pressure conditions via rotary flow sensors and pressure transducers.The modular design supports rapid interchange between simplified 3D-printed AAA models and future anatomically accurate, patient-specific models. This setup allows detailed analysis of intra-aneurysmal pressure, flow patterns, and parameters associated with endoleaks. The platform is adaptable for a wide range of vascular studies within a simulated physiological environment. It supports simultaneous monitoring from multiple sensors and can be expanded to accommodate additional devices. Overall, this test rig provides a flexible and physiologically relevant tool for sensor validation and vascular biomechanics research.This poster was presented at the University of Galway, College of Science Research and Innovation Day (8 May 2025, Galway, Ireland).