Radial Force Test with Instron

The Instron RX radial expansion force testing head mounts to an Instron 5944 and 5544 machine. Bluehill software is used to assess hoop force and radial stiffness of stents, embolic protection devices, heart valves, stent grafts, and vena cava filters.

Our RX675 provides flexibility to accommodate stent grafts that are over 40 mm in diameter and more than 200 mm in length. Unlike fixtures that rely on compression platens or vee blocks that can cause unwanted deformation of the stent graft, the RX system utilizes a low friction segment approach to provide a more accurate measure of radial force. The fixture can also be customized and provided for special specimen types and provide radial strength and stiffness over the entire graft or the securing graft ends. Although room-temperature testing provides excellent comparative results, the system can be configured with a chamber to provide simulation of body temperature.

Product Features

• MSI proprietary low-friction segmental compression head
• System controlled by Instron’s Bluehill software
• Available as a full system or fixture and software add-on through Instron
• Simplified IQ/OQ and SQA for customers with current Instron systems