Modelling of size dependent failure in cardiovascular stent struts under tension and bending

Cardiovascular stents are cylindrical mesh-like metallic structures that are used to treat atherosclerosis. The thickness of stent struts are typically in the range of 50-150 mu m. At this microscopic size scale, the tensile failure strain has been shown to be size dependent. Micromechanically representative computational models have captured this size effect in tension. In this paper polycrystalline models incorporating material fracture are used to investigate size effects for realistic stent strut geometries and loading modes. The specific loading a stent undergoes during deployment is uniquely captured and the implications for stent design are considered. Fracture analysis is also performed, identifying trends in terms of strut thickness and loading type. The results show, in addition to the size effect in tension, further size effects in different loading conditions. The results of the loading analyses are combined to produce a tension and bending failure graph. This design safety diagram is presented as a tool to predict failure of stent struts. This study is particularly significant given the current interest in producing smaller stents.