Circle of Willis Model for Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound Training

Authors

Conner J. Beyersdorf, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ben Hage, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Greg Bashford, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

Spring 4-2016

Document Type

Poster

Citation

Beyersdorf, C. 2016. Circle of Willis Model for Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound Training. Spring 2016 Research Fair poster, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Comments

Copyright (c) 2016 Conner Beyersdorf, Ben Hage, & Greg Bashford

Abstract

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound is a technique involving the use of high frequency transmitters to measure intracranial blood flow. The brain is supplied by blood in an arterial anastomosis called the Circle of Willis. Using TCD ultrasound on the circle is difficult and requires practice and teaching. A functional model of the Circle of Willis could prove to be a valuable teaching tool. Through the use of AutoCAD and 3D printing software, an anatomically accurate model was created and set in gelatin phantom inside of a plastic skull. Milk was pumped through the model with a peristaltic pump to simulate blood flow and was analyzed with TCD ultrasound. Flow rate of anterior cerebral arteries was comparable to physiological blood flow. Further work must be done in improving blood flow waveforms and reproducibility of the model, in order to be used as a teaching tool.