Experimental and Numerical Simulation of Biodegradable Stents with Different Strut Geometries.

OBJECTIVE

Biodegradable stents represent a new technological development in the field of cardiovascular angioplasty. The stent geometry plays a crucial role in determining stent performance.

METHODS

This study describes four stent models with various strut geometries (circular, triangular, hexagonal, and spline) and identical links. The performance of the various stents is assessed by modeling the processes of compression and balloon expansion using experimental and numerical techniques.

RESULTS

Four adjustable variables related to radial strength, foreshortening rate, maximum expanded diameter and coverage are considered in this studies. The maximum stress distributions from our numerical analysis are in agreement with the experimental fracture measurements.

CONCLUSION

Analysis of the stent parameters indicates that the hexagonal geometry is a relatively good stent strut design. The results described in this paper will be useful in further optimization studies and for the development of stents with a higher radial strength and increased fracture resistance.