Five patient-specific silicone models of coronary artery bifurcations (Supplementary Information Table S1 ) were created, using our in-house developed technique. The bifurcation geometries were 3D reconstructed from human coronary angiograms during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, using commercially available software (3D CAAS Workstation 8.2, Pie medical imaging, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Fig. 1 a). To demarcate the region of interest and stabilize the silicone models during the imaging procedures, tube-like extensions and fixed markers were added at the inlet and outlet of the reconstructed bifurcations using a computer-aided design software (Rhinoceros 6, Robert McNeel & Associates, Seattle, USA). For every model, a negative mold was designed and converted to stereolithography (STL) file. The STL file was 3D printed with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene material using the Stratasys Dimension Elite 3D printer (Stratasys, Rehovot, Israel) at a resolution of 178 μm. Acetone vapor was used to produce a smooth inner surface. The molds were stored in room temperature for 8–12 hours and cleaned with distilled water and dried. Polydimethylsiloxane was mixed with its curing agent and then placed into a vacuum for a total of 1 h and 30 min to remove the air bubbles. Subsequently, polydimethylsiloxane was poured into the dry clean molds, which were placed in the vacuum to remove any remaining air bubbles and then put in the oven for polydimethylsiloxane curing for 48 h at the temperature of 65 °C. After curing, the silicone models were put in an acetone beaker, which was placed in an ultrasonic cleaner (Branson 1800, Cleanosonic, Richmond, USA) for 8–10 h to dissolve all acrylonitrile butadiene styrene material.![]()
Patient-specific silicone bifurcation models and bioreactor flow circuit. (
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