Abstract

This research seeks to develop and verify a model for control of the shape memory alloy (SMA) Flexinol and apply such findings to practical application of the material as a platform for bare metal stenting technologies. Utilizing experimental data and material properties, a mathematical model of the thermoelectric contraction behavior of Flexinol wire samples was developed. This model accounted for variable resistance due to the shape memory effect of the Flexinol wire as it experiences a crystalline phase change. It also accounted for the change in the cross-sectional area of the wire as the wire experienced thermal expansion and contraction. The resulting constitutive equations were verified via experimentation.

This thesis further expanded upon these models and presented the practical application of the SMA Flexinol as a platform for coronary artery stenting technologies. The research presented includes computer-aided design (CAD) modeling and finite element analysis (FEA) simulation of the stress loads when working conditions are applied, which revealed the response behavior of the proposed stent design. With the FEA verification that the Flexinol stent design will be able to sustain normal working conditions once implanted into the human body, it was demonstrated that the proposed low stress design has the potential to reduce the rate of stent failure and restenosis in comparison to typical technologies available on the market.

Date of publication

Fall 12-14-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Language

english

Persistent identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10950/2316

Committee members

Chung Hyun Goh, Fredricka Brown, Shih-Feng Chou

Degree

Masters in Mechanical Engineering

Download

Share

COinS