A Model for In Vitro Evaluation of Overlapping Connections between Devices Used in the Endovascular Repair of Popliteal Aneurysms

Abstract

Abstract This work proposes a new methodology to investigate the potential for disconnection (Type III endoleak) of pairs of overlapped endoprostheses in a popliteal model vessel after a cyclic physiologic load, for three different overlap lengths. Multiaxial fatigue accelerated testing was designed to mimic the physiological loads and movements to which the peripheral arteries are submitted during gait. The experiment design was based on principles from technical standards ASTM F2477-07, Standard Test Methods for In Vitro Pulsatile Durability Testing of Vascular Stents (Superseded), and ASTM F2942-13, Standard Guide for In Vitro Axial, Bending, and Torsional Durability Testing of Vascular Stents (Superseded). Migration and disconnection were monitored by digital image correlation for three different overlap lengths (20, 30, and 40 mm). The testing method proposed in this work was efficient to provide a simulated environment to evaluate the influence of gait biomechanics on overlapped endoprosthesis disconnection. Obtained results demonstrated minimal or absence of relevant migration between the endoprostheses, range −0.06 to 0.34 millimeters. The proposed methodology was verified as a valuable tool to investigate the influence of the biomechanical environment that the devices are subjected to on the migration of overlapped endoprostheses. It may become a new alternative to study the preclinical in vitro performance of single endoprosthesis or multiple connected devices with different overlapped regions.