Methods for Evaluating Friction between Intravascular Device and Vascular Biomodel

In recent years, endovascular treatments, in which a treatment device such as a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel to directly approach a lesion, have become increasingly popular worldwide. For safer treatment and further optimization of medical devices, a deeper understanding of the vascular biotribology of the medical devices, biomodels, and blood vessels and an appropriate evaluation method are required. This review paper presents the current state of research on the evaluation of the friction between an intravascular device and a vascular biomodel. We review the experimental conditions, including the sample shape, sliding speed, contact pressure, lubricant, materials, and temperature. Standardized methods should be established for evaluating the friction between an intravascular device and a vascular biomodel.