Control of the injection velocity of embolic agents in embolization treatment

BACKGROUND: Embolization is a common treatment method for tumor-targeting, anti-organ hyper-function, and hemostasis. However, the injection of embolic agents largely depends on the experiences of doctors, and doctors need to work in an X-ray environment that hurts their health. Even for a well-trained doctor, complications such as ectopic embolism caused by excessive embolic agents are always inevitable. RESULTS: This paper established a flow control curve model for embolic injection based on local arterial pressure. The end-vessel network was simplified as a porous media. The hemodynamic changes at different injection velocities and embolization degrees were simulated and analyzed. Sponge, a typical porous medium, was used to simulate the blocking and accumulation of embolic agents by capillary networks in the in vitro experimental platform. CONCLUSIONS: The simulation and experimental results show that the local arterial pressure is closely related to the critical injection velocity of the embolic agent reflux at a certain degree of embolization. The feasibility of this method for an automatic embolic injection system is discussed. It is concluded that the model of the flow control curve of embolic injection can effectively reduce the risk of ectopic embolism and shorten the time of embolic injection. The clinical application of this model is of great value in reducing radiation exposure and improving the success rate of interventional embolization.