Blood Clot and Thrombectomy Handout
Everyone in the group should select a role tag by laying the tags out face down on the table and picking
one at random.
Have the Data Analyst use the ruler to measure the length and width of the base of the weight, and have
the Information Analyst fill out Part 1 in the Results and Observations Handout.
Activity Summary:
1. Blood Flow Rate Activity
Perform with valve opened to the lowest setting, representing a clotted blood vessel
2. Thrombectomy Activity
This experiment shows the process of removing a blood clot
3. Blood Flow Rate Activity Repeat
Perform the activity again, but this time with the valve completely open, showing the blood
clot has been cleared.
Blood Flow Rate Activity
Read all instructions before starting the experiment
Materials:
1. Container
2. Imitation blood vessel
3. Weight Apparatus
4. Stopwatch
Flow Rate Testing
Mechanical
Place the weight apparatus on the balloon inside the small plastic
Engineer
container. Make sure the pin is in the bottle.
Set Up
Open the ball valve to the predetermined setting (for Trial 1 this is
Engineer
the lowest setting).
Mechanical
Remove the pin, and start the timer. The water should begin
Engineer
flowing.
Data Analyst Time how long it takes for the water level to stop rising.
Bioengineer Watch the level of the water in the bottle. When the level stops
rising, stop the timer.
Info Analyst Record results in Part 2 of the Observations and Results Handout.
Resetting Experiment: (Performed by Set Up Engineer)
Remove weight
Fully open ball valve
Pour water, close valve
Thrombectomy Activity
Materials:
1. PVC blood vessel
2. Balloon catheter parts
3. Eraser pieces (clots)
Thrombectomy Instructions:
Set Up
Put the pieces of clot inside the PVC pipe.
Engineer
Mechanical
Put either hand over the ends of the PVC pipe, and shake the pipe gently (to disperse the
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eraser pieces).
Set Up
Rest the PVC pipe and lid on top of the large container.
Engineer
Discuss as a group how you want to construct the balloon catheter. Think about what you
Group
need to do in order to perform a thrombectomy. Complete Part 3 on the Results and
Observations Handout.
Info Analyst Fill out at least one pro and con for each section in Part 3 as discussed by the group.
Mechanical
Construct the balloon catheter using the design decided upon as a group.
Engineer
Bioengineer Attempt to remove the pieces using the balloon catheter. The balloon catheter is only
allowed to enter one end, and all the clot pieces must be removed through this end, though
the procedure may be performed multiple times.
Data Analyst Record how many clot pieces were removed, lost, or not collected on the Results and
Observations handout.
After completing the thrombectomy, if there is time, repeat the activity using alternate
Group
constructions.
Record any observations made by the group, including what was good or bad about the
Info Analyst
design, and how well it performed.