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Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2015

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Stephen Gent

Abstract

This thesis created a template within CFD software to be able to import and quickly analyze new device designs for repair of aneurysms. This template can provide the vascular community with a streamlined, efficient testing method for prototyping and pre-clinical analysis of device performance. By using this template, device designers can undergo a multitude of design changes and iterations to tweak the properties of the device before undergoing a large-scale clinical trial that is required for FDA approval. The focus of this research was on stent-grafts for repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and thoracic-abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). Using code written for the combination of multiple near-wall hemodynamic parameters, as well as a multitude of other flow parameters, five different geometries of potential stent-graft devices were analyzed. The outputs from the results of this study helped to determine computationally which devices provide optimal fluid mechanics throughout the vascular system. This research also provided insight on specific trends in device design that induce better flow to the bridging stents in order to help future development of devices. In general, shortcomings of devices with short bridging stents were well-documented in this study, coinciding with the recent removal of certain devices from commercial availability. Additionally, the stent-grafts with longer, gradually-sweeping bridging stents performed significantly better across a multitude of tests, including near-wall hemodynamics and general fluid mechanics. This goes against typical surgical procedure that calls for as short of bridging stents as possible. Using the data outputs from this study, potential locations of clotting and atherosclerosis formation can be predicted, and devices can be designed to minimize or eliminate those risks. These tests can be applied beyond AAAs and TAAAs, essentially anywhere within the vascular system. This shows the breadth of this template and how it can affect a multitude of areas within the biomedical community.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Vascular grafts -- Evaluation -- Computer simulation Aortic aneurysms -- Treatment Abdominal aneurysm -- Treatment

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 122-129)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

155

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright