[Nonlinear finite element analysis for compression behavior of intravascular stents]

The implantation of intravascular stents has become a new method to cure stenosis in arteries with its low injury and high efficiency. The mechanical behavior of the stents is studied by the finite element method. The compression behavior is simulated with stent models of different sizes and geometry structures whose material is cobalt-chromium alloy. Experiments are also carried out to verify the simulation method, which shows that the finite element model can substitute the stent to some extent in which its mechanical behavior is studied. The results show that the reaction stress of the stent increases with the thickness of the strut. Besides, the smaller metal surface area ratio will result in a smaller elongation ratio. All these are helpful and instructive to the proper designs and actual operation of intravascular stents.