Numerical Analysis of the Influence of Stent Parameters on the Fatigue Properties

Vascular stents are small cylindrical structures implanted in stenosed vessel to support vessel wall and restore blood flow. Cycle fatigue properties of Nitinol stents is an essential feature. Structural parameters make great impact on cycle fatigue properties of Nitinol- based vascular stents. The primary aim of the paper was to investigate the effects of varying parameters of “struct V” on the pulsatile fatigue by using the finite element method (FEM). The finite element method model to analyse the fatigue properties of stent was dependant on different length, width or thickness. The results show that increasing the length, the width and the thickness could reduce the possibility of fatigue, but beyond a certain limit may play an opposite role. In conclusion, FEM is necessary tools in designing stents.