A Study on the Stent Expansion Behavior of the Human Artery Based on Finite Element Analysis

In this paper, non-linear interactions between a stent and an artery are analyzed using the finite element method [ANSYS (Ver 10.0)]. The material property of the artery is assumed to be hyper-elastic. The loading conditions were applied in three steps, according to the pressure level (pressure increase, constant load pressure, and pressure decrease). From the results, the maximum von Mises stresses were measured in the area of contact of the stent and the artery. The maximum von Mises stresses of the stent and artery were obtained and the increase in the maximum pressure showed a decrease in the von Mises stress of the stent. The simulated results show that the distal end of the stent, which tilted after the expansion behavior in the artery, may damage the artery wall. The finite element model used in this study may help in designing the stent.