The Use of Finite Element Analysis in Design, Life Prediction, and Failure Analysis of Biomaterials and Medical Devices

Abstract

This chapter describes the adoption and application of finite element analysis (FEA) during the design and failure analysis of medical devices. FEA has been an important product development tool in the medical device industry, by allowing designers to explore various design options quickly and quantitatively. The chapter discusses some of the key steps and important considerations in applying the finite element method to the design and failure analysis of devices, and provides an example on how these steps are implemented in a nitinol inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) wire frame design and validation.