Evaluating and modeling the behaviour of 2-D braided composites for cardiovascular catheter development

二维和三维编织复合材料作为结构增强材料已经应用了几十年.近年来，二维编织复合材料已被研究用于非常规应用中的新用途，例如导管，其特征直径范围为0.8 mm至4 mm，以及运动设备，其在其长度上具有不同的形状和紧密曲率区域。我的研究计划的长期目标是研究，更好地理解和预测的行为的开放和封闭的网格纤维为基础的二维编织复合材料层压板为基础的结构，无论是刚性或柔性树脂基体。短期目标是四个项目，它们都满足来自长期和中期目标的挑战：（1）通过改进编织芯轴覆盖优化的运动学模型，开发在复杂形状芯轴上编织的能力。(2)开发一个工具来执行完整的结构应变测量。(3)分析实验结果，并开发模型的弹性行为的刚性和柔性聚合物基体管状编织物在小到大的变形下，在准静态负载。由于复杂的非线性行为和依赖于变形的弹性性质，对导管至关重要的柔性基质的使用具有挑战性。(4)调查股线路径和横截面对预测模型的影响。该研究计划预计将对编织复合材料的基本理论和行为理解产生重大影响。 它将产生一个大的数据库的实验数据的编织复合材料具有不同的形状和尺寸，以充分评估其行为和有用性。研究结果将适用于复合材料制造的其他方法和其他单位细胞配置。这项工作将继续对医疗导管技术产生影响，该技术已经确定了可以通过2D开放式网状编织来满足的设计弱点。 改进的导管技术对患者生活质量、节省时间和改善医生程序的影响是显而易见的。六个博士，两个硕士和五个本科生，非常可取的加拿大劳动力，将在这个研究计划的培训。

Two- and three- dimensional braided composites have been used for decades as structural reinforcements. In recent years, 2-D braided composites have been studied for novel use in unconventional applications, such as catheters, which have characteristic diameters ranging from 0.8 mm to 4 mm, and sports equipment, which has varying shapes and regions of tight curvature over their lengths. Long term objectives of my research program are to study, understand better and predict the behaviour of open- and closed-mesh fibre-based two-dimensional braided composite laminate-based structures produced with either rigid or flexible resin matrices. Short term objectives are four projects which all meet challenges deriving from long and medium term objectives: (1) Develop the capability to braid over complex-shaped mandrels by improving kinematic models for braid-mandrel coverage optimization. (2) Develop a tool to perform full structure strain measurements. (3) Analyse experimental results and develop models for the elastic behaviour of rigid- and flexible-polymer matrix tubular braids under small to large deformation, in quasi-static loading. The use of flexible matrices, critical to catheters, is challenging because of complex non-linear behaviours and deformation- dependent elastic properties. (4) Investigate strand path and cross section effects on predictive models. The research program is anticipated to have a significant impact on fundamental braided composite materials theory and behavioural understanding. It will produce a large database of experimental data of braided composite with varying shapes and size to assess fully their behaviour and usefulness.The findings will be applicable to composite materials manufactured by other means and other unit cell configurations. This work will continue to have an impact on medical catheter technology, which has identified design weaknesses that can be met by 2D open mesh braiding. The effect of improved catheter technology on patient quality of life, for saving time, and improving the procedure for medical doctors is palpable. Six PhDs, two MSc and five undergraduate students, highly desirable to the Canadian work force, will be trained in this research program.