Project Description
Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm and subsequent intracranial haemorrhage are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, preventive treatment of intracranial aneurysms has become a routinely performed practise. The majority of aneurysms are treated with coils filling the aneurysm to induce thrombosis. To achieve a stable coil position inside the aneurysm, stents placed in the parent artery are frequently used. However, the use of stents is only possible with concomitant antiplatelet therapy of the patients that often is continued for life. Because antiplatelet therapy can go along with an increased bleeding risk or high perioperative risks, e.g. in trauma several attempts have been made to develop technologies which are suitable for intracranial aneurysm treatment but which are not depended on antiplatelet therapy. Besides several other concepts a bioresorbable stent structure is a promising concept enabling stent assisted treatment with a shortened or even no concomitant antiplatelet therapy. The candidate will work in Aachen and Magdeburg where the candidate will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Behme (Neuroradiology) and Prof. Georg Rose (Medical engineering).The candidate will have the chance to work in a unique environment of a medical device company (Embocraft in Aachen) as well as the Magdeburg Medical engineering infrastructure (University Medical Center, STIMULATE research campus and Magdeburg University).
The main objectives of this project are:
1. Establish Design I/O matrix and investigate design concepts for a wire braided stent using Magnesium, Zinc or alternative bioresorbable metal alloy wires/structures, possibly in combination with non-absorbable NiTi, considering geometric design alternatives
2. Production of early prototypes for preliminary testing to characterise degradation kinetic and crimping behaviour, keeping deliverability in mind.
3. Design optimisation and verification of devices according to ISO 25539-2 (i.e., radial force, bending behaviour, crush resistance, crimpability) and in brain vessel model.
4. Successful production of late-stage prototypes for preclinical (animal) testing using stentlike designs that can be applied within the brain vasculature (1 – 6 mm diameter)
Recruiting partner
Embocraft GbmH, Aachen, Germany
PhD enrollment
OVGU, Magdeberg, Germany
Secondment host
University Hospital Magdeberg, Magdeberg, Germany
