Finite element analysis of stent deployment in a stenotic artery and their interactions

Shijia Zhao, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Linxia Gu, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Stacey R. Froemming, Children's Hospital & Medical Center
James M. Hammel, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Haili Lang, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Document Type Article

Copyright 2011 IEEE

Abstract

In this study, a nonlinear finite element analysis was implemented on the balloon-expandable stent deployment in stenotic artery with asymmetric plaque to investigate the stentstenotic artery interaction. Uniform pressure loading was applied onto the inner surface of stent to expand it. The result showed that the stent restores the patency of the stenotic artery lumen; however, non-uniform expansion (i.e. dogbone shape) was observed on stent, which indicates a possibility of the injury to arterial wall at the ends of stent. The stress on arterial wall induced by stent expansion is higher than blood pressure– induced stress, which may initiate the proliferation of smooth muscle cells and lead to the restenosis. The stent design was alternated by increasing the thickness of distal strut. With this improved design, the dogboning effect was alleviated dramatically and stress level on arterial wall was also decreased. This FEM work provided a better understanding of the coronary stenting and its effect on the arterial response from biomechanical view, which can facilitate new stent design.