Simulation of Stent Expansion by Finite Element Method

A nonlinear simulation using the finite element method (FEM) was performed to analyze the interaction between the balloon and cardiovascular stent during stent expansion. A tri-folded balloon was constructed, and the frictions between the balloon and stent were considered in the model. In this FEM model, the stent was compressed onto the balloon surface before the expansion, in accordance with the actual expansion procedure. The simulation was carried out using ABAQUES software. The results show that this model can precisely simulate the properties of a stent. We observed that the stent cell end was warped around and detached from the balloon. More importantly, the phenomenon of non-uniform deformation was simulated, which has heretofore not been reported in FEM simulations, but was observed experimentally. The mechanical properties of the stent are closely related to the balloon, and a real FEM model of the balloon should be constructed if we want to study stent expansion more precisely.