Drug-eluting coronary stents in stenosed arteries: medical investigation and computational modelling

首要目标是开发一种模拟方法，使早期能够从众多可用的支架材料成分和支架几何形状中选择合适的候选者。将设计多层聚合物/金属复合材料的材料模型和有限元技术，以及血管壁和支架内再狭窄的材料模型和有限元技术，以及血流和药物传输模拟。然后，随着包括血栓形成、内皮细胞黏附和平滑肌细胞迁移在内的生理学模型的建立，将通过分析动脉粥样硬化大鼠支架内再狭窄的发展情况，在体外和体内对计算的血管和支架行为预测进行表征和验证。将考察不同的支架平台，包括临床使用的支架和具有可调节几何形状和材料组成的探索性支架原型。这些努力最终将引导支架性能优化，有利于减少支架内血栓形成和再狭窄，以及B)有助于动物福利指南和立法机构对动物实验的改进、减少和替换。该项目关键依赖于心脏病学(CARD)、固体力学(IFAM)和流体力学(CATS)三个学科的有效相互作用。

The overarching goal is to develop a simulation methodology that enables the early-stage selection of appropriate candidates among the multitude of available stent material compositions and stent geometries. Material modelling and finite element technologies for multi-layered polymer/metal composites as well as vessel wall and in-stent restenosis will be devised along with blood flow and drug transport simulation. Then, physiological model development covering thrombosis, endothelial cell adhesion as well as smooth muscle cell migration will be accompanied by in vitro and in vivo characterization and validation of computed vessel and stent behaviour predictions by analysis of in-stent restenosis development in atherogenic rats. Different stent platforms, both clinically used stents and exploratory stent prototypes with adjustable geometry and material composition will be examined. These efforts ultimately will A) guide stent property optimization apt to reduce in-stent thrombosis and restenosis and B) contribute to the animal welfare "3R-concept" focus in guidelines and legislature towards Refinement, Reduction and Replacement of animal experiments.The project crucially relies on the fruitful interplay of the three disciplines cardiology (CARD), solid mechanics (IFAM) and fluid mechanics (CATS).