desiGn of addItive manuFactured niTinol Endovascular Devices
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Principal investigator: Andrea Spaggiari - Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia | Project duration: 24 months
Andrea Spaggiari - University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Andrea Spaggiari has been an Associate Professor at the Department of Engineering Sciences and Methods since 2020. In 2010, he obtained a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. His research activities focus on actuators and devices based on Nitinol, bonded structural joints, fluidic systems and magnetorheological elastomers, and structural metamaterials. He has established numerous national and international research collaborations, both in academic research, with universities in Poland, Ireland, and Mexico, and in technology transfer initiatives. He is the coordinator of the Reggiane3D Project, aimed at the technical–historical reconstruction of OMI–Reggiane designs through 3D CAD modeling.
Collaborators
Collaborators
Seyedeh Farzaneh, PhD.
Seyedeh Farzaneh Hoseini obtained her Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering – Robotics and Control from Noshirvani University of Technology in Babol, Iran, where she worked on the control and actuation of shape memory alloys (SMAs). She subsequently completed her Ph.D. in Mechatronics and Energy Engineering at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy, focusing on the modeling and simulation of self-expanding stents and smart actuators. Her research interests include the design and simulation of cardiovascular systems, SMA materials, and additive manufacturing. She is currently employed at HC Industry in the Technical Department, where she specializes in the simulation and design of hydraulic cranes - Scopus profile
Eng. Alberto Bellelli, PhD. Student
Alberto Bellelli obtained both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechatronic Engineering from the Department of Engineering Sciences and Methods at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. His research interests include magnetorheological elastomers, structural and electromagnetic finite element modeling and analysis, as well as magnetic measurements for particle accelerator magnets. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at TU Wien in collaboration with CERN, focusing on the modeling and prediction of magnetic hysteresis in accelerator magnets - Scopus profile
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The primary objective of GIFTED is to introduce novel geometries for endovascular devices, such as stents and flow diverters, through the application of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. These devices are essential for the treatment of severe vascular pathologies, including atherosclerotic aneurysms. The aim is to develop high-performance solutions capable of adapting to the specific anatomical requirements of each patient.
____________________________________________________________Through multiphysics simulations and shape optimization of the devices’ digital twins, GIFTED aims to enhance functionality, mechanical strength, fatigue life, and ease of deployment of endovascular devices. GIFTED not only seeks to expand and improve treatment options, but also to promote less invasive implantable devices, such as stents, thereby supporting faster patient recovery and reintegration into daily life. This approach generates positive social outcomes and contributes to reducing healthcare costs and the need for subsequent hospitalizations.
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Thanks to additive manufacturing (AM) technology, GIFTED paves the way toward a future in which endovascular devices can be customized to match the specific anatomical requirements of each patient. This could represent a fundamental shift in the management of vascular diseases, providing more effective and less invasive solutions (National Recovery and Resilience Plan – A Personalized Future in Vascular Care).
Activities
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The challenge undertaken by the GIFTED project consists in the design, development, manufacturing, and validation of complex Nickel–Titanium (NiTi) medical devices through:
G - Setup of the Additive Manufacturing (AM) facility
G - Device design and fluid–structure virtual optimization
G - Feasibility analysis and validation of the NiTi device manufactured via Additive Manufacturing
G - Functional and mechanical testing of the final optimized prototypes
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