Electromagnetically Induced Distortion of a Fibrin Matrix with Embedded Microparticles

TL;DR

This study models how magnetic fields can induce plastic deformation in fibrin matrices embedded with microparticles, aiding understanding of clot mechanics for therapeutic applications.

Contribution

It introduces a finite element analysis approach to quantify electromagnetic forces needed to deform fibrin with embedded micro particles.

Findings

A magnetic field of 730 A/m causes 36 nN force on fibrin.

Finite element analysis estimates electromagnetic forces at a 3 cm distance.

Electromagnetic force coupled with gravity can induce plastic deformation.

Abstract

Blood clots occur in the human body when they are required to prevent bleeding. In pathological states such as diabetes and sickle cell disease, blood clots can also form undesirably due to hypercoagulable plasma conditions. With the continued effort in developing fibrin therapies for potential life-saving solutions, more mechanical modeling is needed to understand the properties of fibrin structures with inclusions. In this study, a fibrin matrix embedded with magnetic micro particles (MMPs) was subjected to a magnetic field to determine the magnitude of the required force to create plastic deformation within the fibrin clot. Using finite element (FE) analysis, we estimated the magnetic force from an electromagnet at a sample space located approximately 3 cm away from the coil center. This electromagnetic force coupled with gravity was applied on a fibrin mechanical system with MMPs to calculate the stresses and displacements. Using appropriate coil parameters, it was determined that application of a magnetic field of 730 A/m on the fibrin surface was necessary to achieve an electromagnetic force of 36 nN (to engender plastic deformation).