Comparison of computational modelling techniques for braided stent analysis

Abstract

Braided stents are associated with a number of complications in vivo. Accurate computational modelling of these devices is essential for the design and development of the next generation of these stents. In this study, two commonly utilised methods of computationally modelling filament interaction in braided stents are investigated: the join method and the weave method. Three different braided stent designs are experimentally tested and computationally modelled in both radial and v-block configurations. The results of the study indicate that while both methods are capable of capturing braided stent performance to some degree, the weave method is much more robust.

Keywords:

• Braided stent
• finite-element analysis
• experimental testing
• nitinol

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013 under grant agreement n° NMP3-SL-2012-280915). Funding support provided by the Structured PhD Programme in Biomedical Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (BMERM) is also acknowledged. Funded under the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) Cycle 5 (Strand 2) and co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The authors wish to acknowledge the DJEI/DES/SFI/HEA Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) for the provision of computational facilities and support.