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Author
Canalejo Codina, Francesc
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Abstract
An aortic aneurysm is a permanent and localized dilatation of the aorta, which is the largest blood vessel in the human body. The presence of an aortic aneurysm involves a weakening of the aortic wall that can lead to a tear in the inner vascular tissue of the artery, causing what is known as an aortic dissection. Aortic dissections have an estimated incidence of 6 per 100,000 people per year, with a mortality of up to 50%. Current treatments include drug therapy, open surgery, and endovascular catheterization to place synthetic stents. However, none of these solutions promote tissue regeneration and recovery. Based on the shortcomings of current treatments, Aortyx has developed a bioresorbable adhesive patch that mimics the mechanical properties of the artery and promotes regeneration. The patch is implanted in the diseased vessel using a minimally invasive delivery device consisting of an endovascular catheter and a flower-shaped Nitinol deployer.
The main objective of this project is to apply the Finite Element Analysis method to analyze, iterate and optimize the device through which the corresponding endovascular treatment is performed. On the one hand, the folding and unfolding process of the endovascular device is studied; this process determines the capacity of the system to introduce the patch in the catheter and release it in the corresponding region of the aorta. On the other hand, the process of implantation of the patch to the aortic wall is studied; this process determines the capacity of the system to fix the patch in the affected region of the aorta.
In this study, the parameters that allow the definition of the simulation models used to study the behavior of the endovascular device have been determined. It has been demonstrated that the simulation models faithfully reflect the real behavior of the system. Finite Element Analysis has made it possible to define a geometry of the deployer that improves the behavior of the system in the process of folding and unfolding inside the catheter and in the process of implantation of the patch to the aortic wall. This new deployer design has been used to determine the parameters that define the folding and unfolding process of the endovascular device. The use of the simulation models has allowed to determine the optimal number of polyvinyl alcohol stitches that should be used to join the patch and the deployer. Finally, the type of Nitinol that makes up the deployer has been modified to improve the performance of the system.
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