Simulation of the Folding Mechanics of a Nitinol device for Endovascular Treatments

Author

Perales de Rocafiguera, Bruno

Abstract

Aortic dissection is a relatively common disease with a high mortality rate (up to 50%). As current treatments still have a number of drawbacks, IQS researchers have developed a new treatment, in which a biopolymeric and biodegradable patch is introduced into the wound produced in the blood vessel. This patch is deposited into the artery using a Nitinol device, which is the focus of this study. This work presents, through a common thread, the processes and iterations necessary to obtain reliable results. A theoretical and methodological basis is included to understand these results and the criteria to validate them. The objectives of the project are to analyze how the reel folds and unfolds from its catheter and the device-patch-aorta interactions when applied to the vessel. In particular, variables such as the stresses generated when the catheter is folded, the resistance force when folding and unfolding, or the pressure distribution in the patch are analyzed. This set of analyzes will be the framework for the future study of different device geometries.
The results have shown that implementing superelastic behavior is the cornerstone for achieving realistic results. Bulk scaling reduces computation time without affecting the quality of the simulations. The curved geometry of the aortic wall helps to increase the magnitude of the contact pressure between the coil and the patch. In addition, the pressure is distributed more in the perimeter areas of the patch.

Director

García Granada, Andrés-Amador 

Degree

IQS SE - Undergraduate Program in Industrial Engineering

Date

2020-05-29