Abstract
BVS are a promising alternative to metallic stents for treating coronary heart disease. However, their lower mechanical properties can lead to issues with delivery and performance. The aim of this work was to begin to unravel the impact of crimping and the subsequent deployment on scaffold performance in the context of the overall processing history. To do this an idealised test method was developed including the manufacture of a bespoke test rig and the reproduction of typical BVS manufacturing on sheets instead of tubes. Results highlighted the influence of crimping conditions and processing history, in particular stretch ratio, on the deployed performance of BVS. The developed test framework can be used for assessing BVS processing conditions and design, and making recommendations for future optimisation.Thesis is embargoed until 31st December 2026.
| Date of Award | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Sponsors | Northern Ireland Department for the Economy |
| Supervisor | Alex Lennon (Supervisor) & Gary Menary (Supervisor) |
Keywords
- BVS
- bioresorbable polymer stents
- bioresorbable vascular scaffolds
- PLLA
- stents
- mechanical testing
- polymer characterisation
- test rig