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Phantom model for intracranial pressure

Célia Batonon, Heimiri Monnier, Arnaud Gauberville, Léna Connesson

TL;DR

The paper presents MODÈFONE, a physical phantom designed to emulate cerebrospinal dynamics under varying gravity, enabling controlled study of ICP and pulsatility during parabolic flights. By coupling a pulsatile hydraulic circuit to a deformable spinal element within a CSF-like fluid, the setup reproduces hydrostatic pressure gradients and gravity‑dependent cranial/spinal interactions, allowing measurements of mean pressures and pulsatile dynamics in 1g, 1.8g, and 0g conditions. Findings show clear gravity- and orientation-dependent effects on mean ICP and spinal pressures, as well as pronounced changes in ICP pulsatility and waveform morphology driven by spinal compliance and hydrostatic loading; microgravity leads to pressure homogenization and attenuated orientation effects, while hypergravity amplifies pulsatile amplitudes. Qualitative comparisons with human physiology indicate that, despite simplifications and the absence of active regulation and venous dynamics, the phantom captures key features of CSF hydrodynamics and can serve as a valuable platform for exploring gravity-related cerebrospinal mechanisms and informing future model enhancements with broader physiological components.

Abstract

This report presents the MOD{È}FONE project, whose objective is to develop a simplified experimental model of the cerebrospinal system in order to investigate fluid-structure interactions and physiological adaptations under altered gravity conditions, with a particular focus on microgravity. The experimental setup is based on a pulsatile hydraulic circuit reproducing systolic and diastolic dynamics, coupled with deformable elements simulating vascular compliance and a cranial compartment immersed in a fluid representing cerebrospinal fluid. This model enables the analysis of cranial and spinal pressures as well as their pulsatility. The purpose of this report is to describe the design and the results of the experimental setup.

Phantom model for intracranial pressure

TL;DR

The paper presents MODÈFONE, a physical phantom designed to emulate cerebrospinal dynamics under varying gravity, enabling controlled study of ICP and pulsatility during parabolic flights. By coupling a pulsatile hydraulic circuit to a deformable spinal element within a CSF-like fluid, the setup reproduces hydrostatic pressure gradients and gravity‑dependent cranial/spinal interactions, allowing measurements of mean pressures and pulsatile dynamics in 1g, 1.8g, and 0g conditions. Findings show clear gravity- and orientation-dependent effects on mean ICP and spinal pressures, as well as pronounced changes in ICP pulsatility and waveform morphology driven by spinal compliance and hydrostatic loading; microgravity leads to pressure homogenization and attenuated orientation effects, while hypergravity amplifies pulsatile amplitudes. Qualitative comparisons with human physiology indicate that, despite simplifications and the absence of active regulation and venous dynamics, the phantom captures key features of CSF hydrodynamics and can serve as a valuable platform for exploring gravity-related cerebrospinal mechanisms and informing future model enhancements with broader physiological components.

Abstract

This report presents the MOD{È}FONE project, whose objective is to develop a simplified experimental model of the cerebrospinal system in order to investigate fluid-structure interactions and physiological adaptations under altered gravity conditions, with a particular focus on microgravity. The experimental setup is based on a pulsatile hydraulic circuit reproducing systolic and diastolic dynamics, coupled with deformable elements simulating vascular compliance and a cranial compartment immersed in a fluid representing cerebrospinal fluid. This model enables the analysis of cranial and spinal pressures as well as their pulsatility. The purpose of this report is to describe the design and the results of the experimental setup.
Paper Structure (50 sections, 1 equation, 13 figures)

This paper contains 50 sections, 1 equation, 13 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Scientific background
  3. Relevance of experimental models
  4. MODÈFONE project framework
  5. Materials and methods
  6. Experimental setup
  7. Phantom structure and mounting system
  8. Pulsatile hydraulic system
  9. Instrumentation, control, and data acquisition
  10. Experimental platform: parabolic flights
  11. Experimental protocol
  12. Experimental parameters and variables of interest
  13. Data acquisition during parabolas
  14. Data processing
  15. Pump flow rate estimation
  16. ...and 35 more sections

Figures (13)

  • Figure 1: Simplified model of the cerebrospinal system.
  • Figure 2: Schematic representation of the MODÈFONE phantom. P: pressure sensor.
  • Figure 3: MODÈFONE experimental interface.
  • Figure 4: Parabolic maneuver during a parabolic flight.
  • Figure 5: Post-processing of experimental data. Débit estimé: Estimated flow; Accélération: Acceleration; Temps relatif: Relative time.
  • ...and 8 more figures