An updated timeline for the Stent Team:

Finalize Simulation Testing Protocol by February 1

• Flow, pinching and hoop stress verification protocols
• Determine appropriate parameters/initial conditions
• Determine and justify whether or not to use the actual curved vessel,  deformable wall, or simplified model

Develop Mechanical Testing Protocol and Order Parts by February 17

• Flow loop – tubing, connectors, peristaltic pump, blood/blood substitute
• Instron – 3d printed spine(?), tubing, attachments

Optimize Stent by March 10

• Create various stents altering strut shape, thickness, width, connections, spacing
• Test to meet specifications using the developed protocols

Finish Printing by March 17

Finish Physical Testing by April 21

At the end of the Fall 2016 Semester, the Stent team developed the following overall design solution for their venous stent for May-Thurner Syndrome.

Material: Stainless Steel

Overall Geometry: Open Cell, Varying diameters specific for iliac vein

Ring Shape: Sinusoidal

Number of Ring Connections: Vary by proximity to compression

Flexibility: Open cell, minimal connections

Surface Area/Strut Width: Optimize for radial strength and to avoid endothelial damage

• The venous stent team has been working over the past months to create stent designs on Solidworks and develop testing protocols using ANSYS.  ANSYS is being used for flow, pinching load, and hoop stress testing. Some preliminary designs are shown on the Media Page.
• Solidworks design and ANSYS testing are being done simultaneously to optimize stent variables such as: overall shape, ring spacing, strut thickness, strut width, and shape/number/location of ring connections. These parameters need to be optimized while still meeting the design specifications for surface area and radial resistive force.
• The team has also been working to finalize what materials they will be needing for fabrication of the stent model and for physical verification tests.