[Finite element simulation of the dilatation of coronary vascular implants]

Intravascular stents are small tube-like structures expanded into stenotic arteries to restore blood flow. The stent is mounted on a balloon catheter and delivered to the site of blockage. First the balloon is inflated, so the stent expands and is pressed against the stenotic wall of the coronary artery. After balloon deflation the stent remains in the coronary artery and the balloon is removed. In this paper, the finite element method is used to simulate the expansion and recoil after ballOon deflation of the stent as well as the cyclic loading of the stent caused by the changing blood pressure.