Medizinische Universität Graz - Research portal
Selected Publication:
Wallinger, LM.
Microstructural investigation of mechanical damage in arterial tissue induced by in vitro stenting simulation.
[ Diplomarbeit/Master Thesis (UNI) ] TU Graz; 2024. pp.84.
FullText
- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Viertler Christian
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- This Master's thesis contributes to the development of a novel mechanobiological material damage model that mathematically describes the damage mechanisms occurring on a multi-scale level in arterial tissue during coronary stent interventions. Such a model represents a significant advancement in precisely determining crucial weaknesses in the deployment procedure and stent design via finite element analysis. The thesis is situated within the scope of the FWF-funded project 'LAESIO - Quantification of Vascular Damage and Cell Proliferation: A Unique Investigation of Stent Implantation', initiated in 2019 by the Institute of Biomechanics in Graz, Austria. Within this project, the 'LAESIO' testing device was engineered to facilitate experimental investigations. This device enables the in vitro simulation of stent implantation and allows the correlation of arterial damage with the pressure exerted during indentation and the alignment of the stent-mimicking stamp within the arterial tissue. The main focus of this thesis was in establishing a histological testing series, comprising 15 biomechanically tested and chemically fixed specimens, along with control samples for each specimen. This series contributes to a deeper understanding of the damage mechanisms occurring on a microstructural level during coronary stent interventions by linking histological imaging data to biomechanical testing data obtained through the LAESIO. Histological stains applied on 2-4 µm thin cross-sections of the arterial specimen tissue were utilized to identify mechanical damage on a microstructural level. Furthermore, fluorescently labeled collagen hybridizing peptides used in this work shed light on the molecular unfolding of collagen, providing insights into damage mechanisms occurring on a molecular level. (...)