High frequency intravascular prosthesis fatigue tester

Abstract

A physiological simulation device for measuring compliance conditions of a prosthesis, such as stents, grafts and stent-grafts, under simulated physiologic loading conditions. The prosthesis is positioned within a fluid conduit of the fatigue tester, wherein the fluid conduit is filled with a saline solution or other fluid approximating the physiological condition to be tested. The fluids are forced through the fluid conduit from both ends of the fluid conduit in a pulsating fashion at a high frequency, thereby simulating systolic and diastolic pressures. The temperature of the fluid is maintained at a specific (37.degree. C.) temperature via a closed loop PID control system. The fluids are pulsated by a pulse generation system consisting of a voice coil drive motor connected to a bellows assembly. Use of a linear drive motor increases the number of cycles per minute to which the prosthesis may be subjected. A microprocessor-based controller operates the pulse generation system at a frequency ranging from 0 to over 6000 cycles/minute under closed loop control. The microprocessor-based controller may be servo controlled, utilizing feedback from a compliance transducer system, linear displacement transducer, and pressure transducer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.