# A NONLINEAR MEMBRANE BASED ANALYSIS FOR ESTIMATING THE RUPTURE POTENTIAL OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO · 2021 · $532,837

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
The overall goal of this problem-driven research is to provide a proof-of-concept strategy for implementing a
nonlinear membrane based analysis for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture risk assessment that
overcomes the scientific and technological limitations of a finite element analysis (FEA)-based approach. To this
end, we propose to develop and apply a method for quantifying rupture potential index (RPI) that does not require
knowledge of the tissue properties of the AAA wall and intraluminal thrombus, nor does it need an estimation of
the unstressed AAA shape or residual stresses, and does not require an FEA solver. The proposed method is
based on nonlinear elastic membrane analysis (NEMA) theory, informed by our prior body of work on geometry
quantification of patient-specific AAA models. Therefore, it is a physics-driven method for RPI quantification. We
also propose to apply the method while conducting a prospective human subjects research study and assess its
potential for rupture risk assessment based on its ability to predict future growth rates. We hypothesize that the
new method for calculating RPI will be able to predict future AAA growth rate with a minimum probability of 80%.
We will complete the following Specific Aims to accomplish the aforementioned goal and test the proposed
hypothesis: (I) Develop a non-FEA approach for calculating RPI; (II) Calculate individual RPI and growth rate for
AAAs under surveillance; and (III) Perform a predictive analysis of future AAA growth based on current RPI. The
primary expected outcome of this research is a physics-driven method for predicting future AAA growth by
calculating RPI using current, standard of care abdominal CT images. The method is devoid of the limitations
that characterize typical biomechanics-based approaches. If proven successful, this approach could be
envisioned as part of a computational tool for rupture risk assessment in the clinic.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10280976
- **Project number:** 1R01HL159300-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO
- **Principal Investigator:** ENDER A FINOL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $532,837
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10280976

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10280976, A NONLINEAR MEMBRANE BASED ANALYSIS FOR ESTIMATING THE RUPTURE POTENTIAL OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS (1R01HL159300-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10280976. Licensed CC0.

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