Development of Test Methods for Mechanical Property Evaluation of Balloon-Expandable CoCr Alloy Stent

The present study aims to establish comprehensive test methods to evaluate the mechanical properties of the intravascular coronary stent with a closed cell design. We focused on three important mechanical properties required to the stent, bending flexibility, radial strength, and longitudinal strength. Test apparatuses and testing procedures were then developed for precise evaluation of those properties. It was found that the developed test apparatuses and testing methods successfully evaluated the mechanical properties of the stent. The results revealed that the mechanical properties were strongly influenced by the structure of the stent, that is, combination of the cell strut and the link strut.