Date of Graduation
5-2026
Document Type
UAF Access Only - Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Advisor/Mentor
Morten Jensen
Abstract
Coronary bifurcation lesions pose significant technical challenges in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), largely due to the complex and anatomically variable branching patterns of coronary vessels and the geometric mismatch between conventional balloon designs and bifurcation geometry. Current, cylindrical angioplasty balloons are not optimized for these configurations and often require non-standardized, highly technical procedural approaches. As a result, bifurcation PCI is associated with higher rates of wall malapposition, compromised side branch access, and increased rates of restenosis and thrombosis. These complications are particularly notable at larger bifurcation angles, where standard device geometry fails to conform to vessel anatomy, increasing the risk of stent malapposition and procedural complications. Overall, these challenges highlight the need for balloon designs that better accommodate structural variability, reduce complications associated with thrombosis and restenosis, and simplify procedural techniques.
This project developed and evaluated a novel accordion-folding angioplasty balloon designed to improve wall apposition and procedural control while maintaining standard kissing balloon technique deliverability. Four accordion-folding mold geometries were designed and fabricated, varying ridge shape, depth, and number of folds. These designs were constructed using high-resolution 3D resin printing and used to form tapered PET parisons into balloons. Performance was evaluated using benchtop phantom bifurcation models, and measurements of carina distance, total malapposed area, and proximal main vessel diameter were collected using ImageJ and analyzed using one-way ANOVA. All accordion-folding designs demonstrated reduced malapposed area and carina distance compared to the cylindrical control, with triangular ridge designs showing the greatest improvements. By exploring geometry-adaptive balloons, this study provides early-stage evidence that fold geometry is a functional design strategy that can reduce complications associated with bifurcation PCI.
Keywords
coronary bifurcation stenting; angioplasty balloon design; wall malapposition; percutaneous coronary intervention; kissing balloon technique; accordion-folding balloon
Citation
Wise, A. (2026). Novel Accordion-Folding Balloon Design for Coronary Bifurcation Stenting. Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/bmeguht/174
