Patient-specific forecasting method for the functionality of a balloon-expandable stent

TL;DR

This paper presents a patient-specific computational method for predicting the mechanical performance of balloon-expandable stents in peripheral arteries, aiming to improve simulation efficiency and accuracy in clinical planning.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining stereoscopic imaging and finite element analysis to model and validate stent behavior in patient-specific arterial geometries.

Findings

Crimping process has negligible effect on mechanical response.

Recoil and foreshortening percentages remain static with increasing stent rings.

The method accurately predicts biomechanical effects of stent placement.

Abstract

This research aims to develop a method to reduce the time cost and complexity of balloon expandable stent simulations in cardiovascular stenting procedures for Peripheral Artery Disease. The study uses stereoscopic images to construct a cardiovascular stent and validate its mechanical response through Finite Element testing. A 3D model of the curved common femoral artery was constructed using Computed Tomography of a patient with Critical Limb Ischemia. The fatigue life cycles of the stent were estimated considering sinusoidal cyclic loading. The crimping process has a negligible influence on the mechanical response, with recoil and foreshortening percentages remaining static with increasing stent rings. The numerical results indicate the biomechanical influence of stent placement in a realistic vessel and compare it with literature.