Current Trends in the Durability Testing of Medical Products


James C. Conti1, Elaine R. Strope


Dynatek Dalta Scientific Instruments, Fourth and Main St., PO Box 254, Galena, MO 65656 USA

1 Southwest Missouri State University, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, 901 S. National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65804-0094


The general theory and approach to high speed testing will be reviewed. This year's workshop will focus primarily on those testing techniques that have been developed or upgraded during the last twelve months. In particular, the latest approaches to the testing of stents, stent/grafts, septal defect closure devices, bifurcated grafts, left ventricular assist devices, adhesive bonds, and packaging will be reviewed. This workshop will give attendees a broad understanding of the issues that must be considered when designing and carrying out high speed dynamic testing, as well as very recent information uncovered during the last year with regard to individual product types. Of particular interest will be a section on the influence of testing frequency on the engineering properties of Nitinol wire and stents. A new section covering techniques to increase the testing frequency of reliable durability evaluations will be included.