The effectiveness of barbs on the spear of a UMR when interacting with and extracting a blood clot will be analysed, along with characterising the engagement of the barbs.
The interactions between the spear’s barbs and the blood clot are important for knowing how the spear will perform in clot removal. Determining the interaction and its relation to the effectiveness of clot removal helps in modifying the barbs for higher effectiveness.
This will be analysed using 2 methods:
- Using a clear gel with similar visco(poro)elastic properties to blood clots, the interaction can be visualised using a stereo microscope.
- Modifying the barbs with markers consisting of heavy metals, the interactions with a blood clot can be visualised using continuous X-ray measurements. Using CBCT scans, the blood clots can be reconstructed for accurate volume changes of the blood clot.