A computational framework for investigating the positional stability of aortic endografts

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Computational Mechanics
• Medical Device Design

Background:

• Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) significantly reduced mortality but faces complications like device migration and endoleak.
• These issues arise from endografts failing to withstand hemodynamic forces and maintain position.
• Understanding in vivo biomechanics is crucial for improving long-term EVAR device performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a computational framework for investigating endograft positional stability.
• To analyze the biomechanical interactions between endografts and the aorta in a 3D setting.
• To introduce a novel metric for quantifying endograft positional stability.

Main Methods:

• Developed a comprehensive Computational Solid Mechanics and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CSM/CFD) framework.
• Utilized 3D non-planar aortic and stent-graft models with realistic multi-material properties.
• Incorporated physiological blood flow, pressure, and a frictional contact model between device and aorta.

Main Results:

• Successfully developed a novel computational framework to simulate endograft-aorta interactions.
• Introduced a new metric for quantifying endograft positional stability.
• Demonstrated the framework's utility by analyzing factors affecting endograft stability.

Conclusions:

• The developed CSM/CFD framework provides a novel approach to study endograft biomechanics and positional stability.
• This computational tool is essential for understanding and mitigating complications associated with EVAR.
• Further research using this framework can lead to improved endograft design and patient outcomes.