Impact of the Balloon Folding Pattern on the Transient Stent Expansion Behaviour: A Finite Element Study

Stenting is the most commonly used medical procedure to restore blood flow in stenotic arteries. During this endovascular intervention, a small tube-like structure is implanted in the narrowed section of the diseased artery. The vast majority of stents are crimped (i.e. plastically deformed) on a folded balloon (balloon expandable stents). After insertion through a small incision in the femoral or radial artery using a catheter, the balloon is inflated and the stent deploys. Following to the expansion, the balloon is deflated and retracted and from then on, the stent acts as a mechanical scaffold for the enlarged lumen.