Background

As access to patient emboli is limited, embolus analogs (EAs) have become critical to the research of large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke and the development of thrombectomy technology. To date, techniques for fabricating standardized human blood-derived EAs are limited in the variety of compositions, and the mechanical properties relevant to thrombectomy are not quantified.

Methods

EAs were made by mixing human banked red blood cells (RBCs), plasma, and platelet concentrate in 10 different volumetric percentage combinations to mimic the broad range of patient emboli causing LVO strokes. The samples underwent histologic analysis and tensile testing to mimic the pulling action of thrombectomy devices, and were compared to patient emboli.

Results

EAs had histologic compositions of 0-96% RBCs, 0.78%-92% fibrin, and 2.1%-22% platelets, which can be correlated with the ingredients using a regression model. At fracture, EAs elongated from 81% to 136%, and the ultimate tensile stress ranged from 16 to 949 kPa. These EAs’ histologic compositions and tensile properties showed great similarity to those of emboli retrieved from LVO stroke patients, indicating the validity of such EA fabrication methods. EAs with lower RBC and higher fibrin contents are more extensible and can withstand higher tensile stress.

Conclusions

EAs fabricated and tested using the proposed new methods provide a platform for stroke research and pre-clinical development of thrombectomy devices.

中文翻译：

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用于中风研究的具有组织学和机械量化的人源栓子的标准化制造方法

背景

由于获得患者栓子的机会有限，栓子类似物 (EA) 已成为大血管闭塞 (LVO) 卒中研究和血栓切除技术发展的关键。迄今为止，用于制造标准化人血衍生 EA 的技术在成分的多样性方面受到限制，并且与血栓切除术相关的机械性能未量化。

方法

EA 是通过以 10 种不同的体积百分比组合混合人库红细胞 (RBC)、血浆和浓缩血小板制成的，以模拟导致 LVO 中风的广泛患者栓子。样本经过组织学分析和拉伸测试以模拟血栓切除装置的拉动作用，并与患者栓子进行比较。

结果

EA 的组织学成分为 0-96% RBC、0.78%-92% 纤维蛋白和 2.1%-22% 血小板，可以使用回归模型将其与成分相关联。断裂时，EAs 伸长率从 81% 到 136%，极限拉应力在 16 到 949 kPa 之间。这些 EA 的组织学组成和拉伸特性与从 LVO 中风患者身上提取的栓子非常相似，表明这种 EA 制造方法的有效性。具有较低 RBC 和较高纤维蛋白含量的 EA 更具延展性，可以承受较高的拉伸应力。

结论

使用所提出的新方法制造和测试的 EA 为中风研究和血栓切除装置的临床前开发提供了一个平台。