ANSYS > Case Studies > Bioana: Leveraging Computer Simulations for Efficient Medical Device Development

Bioana: Leveraging Computer Simulations for Efficient Medical Device Development

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation
Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Device Management Platforms

Applicable Industries

Equipment & Machinery
Healthcare & Hospitals

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development
Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Digital Twin
Virtual Reality

Services

Testing & Certification

About The Customer

Bioana is a company that is dedicated to the design and development of medical technology. The company's innovations stem from the recognition of real medical needs and the use of simulation software to create new technology in the fields of cardiology, diagnostics, and orthopedics. Bioana works closely with other companies and institutions to leverage resources, machines, and personnel to advance medical devices in Mexico. The company's commitment to innovation and collaboration has positioned it as a leader in the medical technology industry in Mexico.

The Challenge

Bioana, a company dedicated to the design and development of medical technology, faced significant challenges in the biomedical engineering field. Before a medical device could be implanted in a patient, extensive testing had to be conducted to determine its lifespan, the optimal material for fabrication, and the stresses it must withstand. For instance, prostheses had to be designed to endure the loads generated by body motion and weight, without failing or significant deformation. Similarly, vascular stents needed to supply optimal blood volumes with predetermined flow rates. Evaluating the performance of these and many other medical devices was crucial, and simulation was a key tool in this process. However, the traditional methods of testing were time-consuming and costly.

The Solution

Bioana employed a suite of ANSYS software as part of its biomedical design process. ANSYS CFX software was used to reproduce the flow conditions of the artery blood stream and analyze the vorticity, shear stress, blood velocity, and pressure generated by the vascular implant. The software's modeling tools and equations allowed Bioana to define blood properties, making it easy to create new materials such as biomaterials and composites. The static structural module offered multiple tools to establish proper boundary conditions for accurate reproduction of loads on new prosthesis designs. Interaction and contacts within the geometries and/or human body parts were also possible to build in, creating highly predictive simulation models and results. This approach allowed Bioana to test several devices simultaneously and refine them in terms of material and shape to create an optimized solution.

Operational Impact

The use of ANSYS software has revolutionized Bioana's biomedical design process. The ability to simulate the performance of medical devices has not only reduced the time and cost associated with testing but also improved the quality of the products. The software's ability to accurately reproduce the conditions a device will face in the human body has led to the creation of more reliable and effective medical devices. Furthermore, the ability to test multiple devices simultaneously has significantly increased Bioana's productivity. The company can now bring its products to market faster, giving it a competitive edge in the medical technology industry.

Quantitative Benefit

Testing protocols have been nearly cut in half due to simulation in the early design phases.
Material characterization can be done completely through the software, reducing costs associated with acquiring materials for multiple design iterations.
Simulations enable simultaneous developments, increasing Bioana’s productivity three-fold.