OPTIMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A SELF-EXPANDING NITINOL STENT UNDER THE ACTION OF ARTERIAL FORCES

Abstract

Nitinol is a material widely known because of its super-elasticity characteristic which is important in the cyclic load area. Atherosclerosis is a disease of the modern age that involves blood vessels narrowing. If this condition is not properly treated, the consequences can be serious. Therefore, it is of great importance to study the optimal characteristics of the stent and the hemodynamic condition in the blood vessels. Self-expanding nitinol stents have been often used to treat arterial narrowing. This paper will analyze the influence of the ratio between the stent diameter and the blood vessel diameter and their correlation with radial forces in the case of atherosclerotic plaque or fibrous cap. Also, this paper will analyze recommended stent thickness to ensure satisfactory deformations at the end of the fatigue cycle.