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On Studying the Interaction Between Different Stent Models and Rabbit Tracheal Tissue: Numerical, Endoscopic and
J Chaure1, C Serrano2, R Fernández-Parra2,3
1Aragón Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, C/María de Luna s/n, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|November 22, 2015
Summary
Metallic stents treat vessel and tracheal stenosis but cause restenosis. This study used rabbit models and computational analysis, finding tensile stress, not just wall shear stress, significantly impacts tracheal tissue response after stenting.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Medical Device Research
Background:
- Stenting is a common treatment for atherosclerotic vessel and tracheal stenosis.
- Metallic stents, while effective, are prone to restenosis (re-narrowing) of the stented area.
- Understanding the biological response to stent deployment is crucial for improving outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biomechanical factors influencing tracheal tissue response after metallic stent implantation.
- To compare the efficacy of two commercial stents (Zilver Flex and Wallstent) in a rabbit model.
- To validate numerical simulations with experimental findings for improved stent design.
Main Methods:
- Developed a numerical model of the rabbit trachea and analyzed it before and after stent insertion.
- Implanted two types of commercial stents in 30 New Zealand rabbits, with a control group.
- Assessed tracheal wall response using CT, endoscopy, macroscopic, and histopathological analysis 90 days post-deployment.
- Correlated experimental findings (inflammation, tissue growth) with numerical parameters (wall shear stress, maximum principal stress).
Main Results:
- Numerical and experimental data were compared to identify correlations between biomechanical forces and biological responses.
- Findings suggest that both wall shear stress (WSS) and maximum principal stress contribute to tracheal epithelium response.
- Tensile stresses (maximum principal stress) appeared to play a dominant role in the observed tissue reactions.
Conclusions:
- The study supports the hypothesis that biomechanical stresses, particularly tensile stress, influence tracheal tissue response post-stenting.
- Numerical modeling and in-silico investigations offer a feasible approach to study tracheal structural and fluid dynamics.
- Results can inform the design of improved metallic stents to minimize restenosis and enhance treatment efficacy.
Keywords:
Finite element methodFluid–structure interactionNitinolTracheaWallstentTMZilverFlexTM stent
