Degradable Coronary Stents
Stents are tiny tubes inserted into diseased arteries to keep them open. The main purpose of a stent is to counteract significant decreases in vessel or duct diameter by propping open the artery by a mechanical scaffold or stent. Stents are typically left in the body and remain there because they are not degradable. However, recently a revolutionary, new biomaterial has been discovered to provide a material that will allow stents to degrade.
Fully degradable coronary stents have been explored for more than 20 years. But, no clinically useful products could be developed, in part, because of the lack of polymers that could meet the extremely demanding performance requirements. By developing a library of degradable polymers comprising 10,000 theoretically possible compositions and applying combinatorial methods the best possible biomaterial was identified. It was this resulting material that was selected for use.
The biomaterial is currently being tested in 30 patients for safety in Germany and Brazil but if they are successful, this will be a huge breakthrough for not just stents but global bioengineering. The main issue with bioengineering is ensuring that products do not tamper with the bodies homeostasis. Degradable stents will allow the body to heal, doing its intended job and then leave the body non-invasively. This means no concerns regarding long-term effects of having the stent.
I myself am very intesrested in the workings of a stent and have seen many various prototypes and this one is by far the most interesting. I've always wondered how companies can truly ensure their product for years worth of wear and tear. A stent goes through significant abuse and the idea of having it in the artery permanately sounds like a malfunction is bound to occur. This would make stents much more reliable in my opinion and I can't wait to see the results in the 30 patients.
The article--> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071018123505.htm
Wikipedia Stents--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stents
Fully degradable coronary stents have been explored for more than 20 years. But, no clinically useful products could be developed, in part, because of the lack of polymers that could meet the extremely demanding performance requirements. By developing a library of degradable polymers comprising 10,000 theoretically possible compositions and applying combinatorial methods the best possible biomaterial was identified. It was this resulting material that was selected for use.
The biomaterial is currently being tested in 30 patients for safety in Germany and Brazil but if they are successful, this will be a huge breakthrough for not just stents but global bioengineering. The main issue with bioengineering is ensuring that products do not tamper with the bodies homeostasis. Degradable stents will allow the body to heal, doing its intended job and then leave the body non-invasively. This means no concerns regarding long-term effects of having the stent.
I myself am very intesrested in the workings of a stent and have seen many various prototypes and this one is by far the most interesting. I've always wondered how companies can truly ensure their product for years worth of wear and tear. A stent goes through significant abuse and the idea of having it in the artery permanately sounds like a malfunction is bound to occur. This would make stents much more reliable in my opinion and I can't wait to see the results in the 30 patients.
The article--> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071018123505.htm
Wikipedia Stents--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stents
posted by Wally Elrafie at 4:44 PM
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