Simulation and experimental study on processing behavior of coronary artery calcified tissue removal

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering
• Interventional Cardiology

Background:

• Coronary artery atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular events.
• Rotational atherectomy (RA) treats severe calcified stenosis but carries risks like slow flow and clots due to excessive force, heat, and debris.
• Mitigating these risks is crucial for patient safety during RA procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a novel high-performance cutting tool for coronary artery calcified tissue removal during RA.
• To develop and validate a simulation model for assessing the safety and efficacy of the new RA tool.
• To evaluate the forces, temperatures, and debris generated by the tool to ensure they remain within safe thresholds.

Main Methods:

• A novel high-performance cutting tool was designed and fabricated for rotational atherectomy.
• A computational model simulating the RA procedure was developed to predict cutting forces, temperature rise, and debris characteristics.
• Simulations were validated against experimental data, with errors below 10%.

Main Results:

• The novel RA cutting tool demonstrated effective removal of calcified coronary artery tissue.
• Simulations confirmed that cutting forces (peak 1.062 N for 1.5 mm tool), temperatures (peak 1.170 °C rise), and debris size (90% < 14 μm) remained within safety thresholds.
• The simulation model accurately predicted experimental outcomes, validating its precision.

Conclusions:

• The developed high-performance cutting tool shows promise for safer and more effective rotational atherectomy.
• The validated simulation model provides a reliable platform for further optimization of RA tools and techniques.
• This research offers theoretical support for understanding RA mechanisms and improving clinical outcomes in treating coronary artery calcified stenosis.