Support function of self-expanding nitinol stents - Are radial resistive force and crush resistance comparable?

Abstract

The main task of any vascular stent is the mechanical support of the re-opened vessel. This support function may be quantified by the compressive properties of the stent in radial outer loading conditions. Different test methods are standardized and are accepted to provide relevant data. Six commercially available self-expanding stents were investigated with regard to their forcedeformation behavior during radial as well as elliptical deformation. The measured radial resistive force and crush resistance were not qualitatively congruent for all stents. As a conclusion both test methods should be considered when describing the compressive properties of self-expanding stents.