Catheters for cardivascular intervention
In some cases of coronary artery disease the artery is narrowed due to the buildup of cholesterol-containing deposits (plaques). In a cardiac catheterization procedure, a specially designed catheter with a tiny balloon is guided through the artery to the narrowed spot and then inflated to widen the artery and increase the blood flow. Sometimes a stent is placed during the procedure to keep the artery open after the balloon is removed.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5fa69af1ceca91db0e240ed9/609e4527b2a6371d9866491f_Catheters%20for%20cardivascular%20intervention%20.jpg)
Testing and optimizing the catheter design
Catheters differ in their ability to reach specific locations without causing tissue damage. The overall performance of a catheter is influenced by, among other things, material selection and geometric choices. Reden conducted a research study on catheter designs, to gain insight in the mechanisms that play a role when delivering a balloon (with stent) to the lesion and crossing it. With that knowledge we can further optimize the catheter design.
Three sections
The entire catheter system consists of three sections:
- Transfer section
- Target section
- Lesion section
The transfer section
Investigating the transfer section provided insight into (the effect of) the guiding catheter, and the backup support and amplification factor.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5fa69af1ceca91db0e240ed9/60d089a6c8b2b903c9d44ba8_Reden_1.jpg)
The target section
In the target section we identified how catheter designs differ in terms of deliverability and crossability. A 3D parametric model of the catheter was optimized for accuracy and convergence rate. The results of a DoE revealed the effects of important design parameters.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5fa69af1ceca91db0e240ed9/609e46193f701f41c1ce1f06_3D%20parametric%20model%20of%20the%20catheter%20.jpg)
The lesion section
We simulated the production process to get a realistic geometry of the balloon. Furthermore, we investigated the bending stiffness and inflation behavior of the balloon, as well as the effect of its cohesive layer.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5fa69af1ceca91db0e240ed9/609e464664f5b4e7e07ee3ab_realistic%20geometry%20of%20the%20balloon.jpg)
After modelling: Design Space Exploration
After experimentally validating the model, we used our Reves DSE software to navigate design space for solutions to optimize the design for lesion crossing.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5fa69af1ceca91db0e240ed9/60d089c130aa2e33245b4d56_Reden-2.jpg)