Method and apparatus for vascular durability and fatigue testing

A vascular prosthesis tester for inducing mechanical stresses upon a test member, the test member comprising a channel extending along a longitudinal axis and a vascular prosthesis, the vascular prosthesis tester comprising:

• (a) a pump adaptable to couple in fluid communication with the test member to inject a pressurized fluid within the channel to induce a radial strain upon the vascular prosthesis;
• and
• (b) a torque applicator operable to engage the test member to induce a torque oriented substantially about the longitudinal axis upon the vascular prosthesis.

A vascular prosthesis tester for inducing mechanical stresses upon a test member having a channel extending along a longitudinal axis and a vascular prosthesis, the vascular prosthesis tester comprising:

• (a) a pump adaptable to couple in fluid communication with the test member to inject a pressurized fluid within the channel to induce a radial strain upon the vascular prosthesis;
• and
• (b) a linear force applicator operable to induce linear forces oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis upon the vascular prosthesis, wherein the linear force applicator is adapted to selectively vary a magnitude of the linear forces induced in the test member during testing of the test member.

A method of fatigue testing a test member comprising an inner channel oriented along a longitudinal axis and a vascular prosthesis, the method comprising:

• (a) injecting a pressurized fluid within the inner channel to induce a radial stress upon the vascular prosthesis;
• and
• (b) inducing a bending stress oriented substantially along the longitudinal axis upon the vascular prosthesis.

A method of fatigue testing a test member comprising an inner channel oriented along a longitudinal axis and a vascular prosthesis, the method comprising:

• (a) injecting a pressurized fluid within the inner channel to induce a radial stress upon the vascular prosthesis;
• and
• (b) inducing a torque upon the vascular prosthesis oriented substantially about the longitudinal axis.

A method of fatigue testing a test member comprising an inner channel oriented along a longitudinal axis and a vascular prosthesis, the method comprising:

• (a) injecting a pressurized fluid within the inner channel to induce a radial stress upon the vascular prosthesis;
• and
• (b) applying a linear force upon the vascular prosthesis oriented substantially along the longitudinal axis, wherein a magnitude of the linear force is selectively varied during testing of the test member.