Biodegradable Stent with Polymer Coating for Controlled Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biodegradable in vivo supporting devices, such as stents, often disintegrate uncontrolled and break into large pieces that can interfere with body fluid circulation, necessitating a controlled degradation mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable balloon-expandable stent with a metal scaffold made from magnesium, iron, or zinc alloys, combined with a biodegradable polymer coating, allowing for controlled degradation and absorption within the body, ensuring the device loses integrity only when the treated tissue has healed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a biodegradable supporting device is used, then there is no need to remove the device after correction of the underlying defect, but the device may disintegrate in an uncontrolled manner and break into large pieces that interfere with body fluid circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple small pores rather than degrading into large pieces. The polymer coating degrades by forming numerous small pores that allow controlled release of degradation products into body fluid, preventing interference with circulation while maintaining structural integrity until complete degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable polymer coating degrades by forming a porous structure with controlled pore size and distribution. This porous degradation mechanism allows body fluid to penetrate and gradually break down the polymer into small molecules that can be safely absorbed or excreted, rather than forming large disintegrating fragments
2Duration of action of moving object
If the polymer coating is made thin (10-100 micrometres), then the device can degrade more quickly, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The degradation rate is controlled by adjusting polymer coating parameters including thickness (10-100 micrometres), molecular weight, crystallinity, and composition. These parameter changes allow tuning of the degradation timeline to match tissue healing while maintaining sufficient structural integrity during the support period
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines biodegradable polymer coating with a biodegradable metal alloy scaffold (magnesium, iron, or zinc-based). This composite structure provides mechanical strength through the metal scaffold while the polymer coating controls degradation timing and rate, creating a synergistic system that balances strength and degradability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a controlled degradation of the stent, preventing interference with body fluid circulation and ensuring the device is fully metabolized, thus addressing the issue of uncontrolled disintegration and improving safety and efficacy in medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
biodegradable polymer coating
Implementation Method 2
controlled degradation and absorption within the body
Implementation Method 3
biodegradable metal alloy scaffold made from a magnesium alloy, an iron alloy, a zinc alloy
Implementation Method 4
metal scaffold comprising a plurality of metal struts
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~4A
Figure 4B~5A
AI summary
A biodegradable in vivo supporting device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a coated stent device includes a biodegradable metal alloy scaffold made from a magnesium alloy, iron alloy, zinc alloy, or combination thereof, and the metal scaffold comprises a plurality of metal struts. The metal struts are at least partially covered with a biodegradable polymer coating. A method for making and a method for using a biodegradable in vivo supporting device are also disclosed.