Numerical Methodology to Evaluate Trackability and Pushability of PTCA Balloon Catheter

During percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the ability to navigate a catheter without causing injury to the vessel and damage to the device is crucial outcome of the procedure. This study aimed to develop a numerical model to analyse the percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) catheter navigation in coronary vessels.

Trackability and pushability are two major parameters used to characterize the navigation of PTCA balloon catheters, and they are influenced by vessel tortuosity, contact interactions and catheter design. In the current study, finite element analysis model is presented to evaluate trackability and pushability considering two different vessel geometries. Impact of contact interactions among catheter, guidewire, and vessel were studied to validate the numerical model with in vitro test data. Further, a parametric study was conducted to understand the influence of distal shaft, and proximal shaft outer diameter.

Obtained results suggest that contact interaction and co-efficient of friction between guidewire and catheter are critical parameters to obtain numerical results comparable to experimental data. Results from the parametric study predicted strong positive correlation of distal shaft diameter on pushability, and weak correlation on trackability force. Furthermore, parametric variation in proximal shaft diameter has strong positive correlation on trackability force and strong negative correlation on pushability.

Numerical methodology presented in this study is a preliminary attempt to simulate the behavior of PTCA balloon catheter navigation. This methodology will be helpful in the design and optimization of PTCA balloon catheter and similar devices with improved deliverability.