ETD

• ascending aortic aneurysm
• dynamic aortic simulator
• high-fidelity simulators
• physical vascular models
• pneumatic artificial actuators
• soft robotics

This work presents the design, implementation, and bench validation of a high-fidelity active simulator of ascending aortic aneurysm for the preclinical validation of novel cardiovascular implantable devices. The ascending aortic aneurysms, one of the main pathologies of large vessels, is characterized by progressive vessel dilation and significant alterations in hemodynamics, which strongly influence device performance and clinical outcomes. However, current in vitro testing platforms fail to realistically and dynamically reproduce the behavior of the vascular wall under physiological and pathological conditions. The proposed work addresses this limitation by integrating soft robotic actuators, i.e. Inverse Pneumatic Artificial Muscles (IPAMs), directly into the vessel wall, enabling controlled and repeatable modulation of the diameter from healthy to aneurysmal configurations (diameter from 30mm up to 45mm). The geometry of the simulator was derived analyzing CT scans, while material selection was guided by literature. The IPAM were characterized in both linear and circular configurations to evaluate deformation capability in terms of axial elongation (up to 50% of the initial length 100mm) and radial expansion (up to 50% of the initial diameter 30mm), as well as repeatability and operating pressure ranges (17–80 kPa). The complete system features six IPAM embedded into a silicone structure, dedicated electronics and a graphic user interface for controlling. Bench validation was done integrating the simulator into a commercial pulsatile cardiovascular loop, demonstrating its ability to generate pressure variations consistent with literature.