Simplified Models to Assess the Mechanical Performance Parameters of Stents

Abstract

Ischemic heart disease remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, which has promoted extensive therapeutic efforts. Stenting has emerged as the primary intervention, particularly among individuals aged 70 years and older. The geometric specifications of stents must align with various mechanical performance criteria outlined by regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Finite element method (FEM) analysis and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) serve as essential tools to assess the mechanical performance parameters of stents. However, the growing complexity of the numerical models presents significant challenges. Herein, we propose a method to determine the mechanical performance parameters of stents using a simplified FEM model comprising solid and shell elements. In addition, a baseline model of a stent is developed and validated with experimental data, considering parameters such as foreshortening, radial recoil, radial recoil index, and radial stiffness of stents. The results of the simplified FEM model agree well with the baseline model, decreasing up to 80% in computational time. This method can be employed to design stents with specific mechanical performance parameters that satisfy the requirements of each patient.