Development and Characterization of a Blood-Mimicking Fluid for Hemodynamic Research

Abstract

The development of blood-mimicking fluids (BMFs) is crucial for in vitro hemodynamic experiments, enabling researchers to simulate blood flow while avoiding the complexities and risks of using real blood. This study aims to create a viscous fluid that accurately replicates the rheological properties of human blood, focusing on its physical characteristics such as density, viscosity, and particle concentration. Various formulations, including starch-based solutions with urea, were tested to identify the optimal composition that mimics blood behavior under different shear conditions. Rheological tests were conducted to measure key parameters, including density, refractive index, and electrical conductivity, which are essential for assessing the fluid's similarity to real blood. Once the optimal formulation was selected, in vitro analyses were performed in a transparent PMMA phantom designed to simulate a vascular environment at various flow rates. A peristaltic pump, mimicking the natural pulsations of blood flow, was configured and characterized to optimize flow rate settings. Finally, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) analysis was employed to measure and visualize the velocity fields within the phantom, providing detailed insights into the fluid’s dynamics and confirming how well the developed solution replicates real blood flow. This work contributes to the advancement of blood-mimicking fluids, offering a reliable tool for hemodynamic research.