Linear elastic mechanics of mock arteries: empirical versus theoretically predicted pulsatile stent deflection.

Evaluation of a medical device requires human or animal studies to be conducted. In the past decade, the use of mock arteries or mock vessels has found its place in the cardiovascular industry as a best alternative to researchers. Mechanical characteristics of the mock artery play a significant role on the stent and vascular grafts being tested. It is these mechanical characteristics that determine the amount of load applied on the medical device thus deciding the validity of the fatigue test on the devices. This paper is an effort towards determining the distension of the mock artery and relating it to the distension of the vascular stent.