A comparative analysis of solvent cast 3D printed carbonyl iron powder reinforced polycaprolactone polymeric stents for intravascular applications

The carbonyl iron powder (CIP) reinforced polycaprolactone (CIPC) wasused to print three pre- existing stent designs such as ABBOTT BVS1.1, PALMAZ-SCHATZ, and ART18Z. The physicochemical behavior was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The radial compression test, three-point bending test and stent deployment test were carried out to analyze the mechanical behavior. The degradation behavior of the stents was investigated in static as well as dynamic environment. To investigate the hemocompatible and cytocompatible behaviors of the stents, platelet adhesion test, hemolysis test, protein adsorption, in vitro cell viability test and live/dead cell viability assay were performed. The results revealed that stents had the adequate mechanical properties to perform the necessary functions in the human coronary. The degradation studies showed slower degradation rate in the dynamic environment in comparison to static environment.In vitro biological analysis indicated that the stents represented excellent resistanceto thrombosis, hemocompatible functions as well as cytocompatible nature.

For more information: https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.34795