Abstract
According to a recent study[1] cancer is the second most common cause of death worldwide with metastasis being responsible for about 90% of cancer deaths [2]. As of yet, a working treatment for metastases has not been found. In a previous study[3], a new approach has been introduced which uses mechanical shear stress to destroy Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) that detach from the primary tumor, enter the blood stream and are responsible for the formation of metastases. This study showed, that upon processing cancer cells with a shear stress of 25Pa for a duration time of 0.24s all clusters were separated and virtually all tumor cells destroyed while not harming normal blood cells. This device consists of a rotating restrictor (throttle) with a coupled axial pump that compensates for the pressure loss over the throttle.
This thesis is aimed at further development of the device, addressing the main concerns. First, the device was designed for a higher volumetric blood flow of 205 ml/min than the 93ml/min before, aiming at the splenic vein of the pancreas as use case. Secondly, the design was downsized to show the capability of such a device as an implant. The final design had a length of roughly 12cm and a diameter of 2cm (motor excluded), showing promising potential to implant such a device. The device was built using 3D-printing, allowing for complex shapes of the pump and in/outlet for better flow pattern. The last design of the device induces a shear stress of 42Pa on the blood for a duration of 0.3s at a rotational speed of 6600rpm. This lead to necrosis in 20% of cells and apoptosis in another 60% of cells in tumor cell sample tests, as well as separating most clusters into single cells. While these numbers are promising, they are lower than expected considering the much higher shear stress compared to the prior study. It has yet to be seen which effects are responsible for the discrepancy, though the results give confidence that these can be addressed with minor design changes.
This thesis is aimed at further development of the device, addressing the main concerns. First, the device was designed for a higher volumetric blood flow of 205 ml/min than the 93ml/min before, aiming at the splenic vein of the pancreas as use case. Secondly, the design was downsized to show the capability of such a device as an implant. The final design had a length of roughly 12cm and a diameter of 2cm (motor excluded), showing promising potential to implant such a device. The device was built using 3D-printing, allowing for complex shapes of the pump and in/outlet for better flow pattern. The last design of the device induces a shear stress of 42Pa on the blood for a duration of 0.3s at a rotational speed of 6600rpm. This lead to necrosis in 20% of cells and apoptosis in another 60% of cells in tumor cell sample tests, as well as separating most clusters into single cells. While these numbers are promising, they are lower than expected considering the much higher shear stress compared to the prior study. It has yet to be seen which effects are responsible for the discrepancy, though the results give confidence that these can be addressed with minor design changes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Master |
| Supervisors/Reviewers |
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| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
Fields of science
- 206004 Medical engineering
- 202027 Mechatronics
- 106 Biology
- 211 Other Technical Sciences
- 206 Medical Engineering
- 305 Other Human Medicine, Health Sciences
- 107002 Bionics
- 206001 Biomedical engineering
- 211905 Bionics
- 203015 Mechatronics
