Polymeric Stent Manufacturing via Prepolymer Coating and Laser Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stents, primarily made of metal, face limitations in biocompatibility and flexibility for vascular applications, necessitating the development of alternative materials that can provide mechanical support while being gentler on vessels.
Innovation Solution
Polymeric stents are formed using a prepolymer solution that is polymerized and then laser-cut into desired shapes, offering a biocompatible and flexible alternative to traditional metal stents, with methods involving centripetal force, textured surfaces, and specific polymer compositions for enhanced properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal materials are used for stent construction, then mechanical strength and durability are improved, but biocompatibility and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polymer composite materials that combine the mechanical strength required for stent support with the biocompatibility of polymer substances. The composite polymer structure allows achieving both durability and vascular compatibility that cannot be obtained with traditional metals alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to polymer, fundamentally altering the physical and chemical properties of the stent. This parameter change enables simultaneous achievement of flexibility, biocompatibility, and sufficient mechanical strength through careful selection of polymer composition and crosslinking density.
2Strength
If metal materials are used for stent construction, then mechanical strength is improved, but flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from metal to polymer material, the patent achieves enhanced flexibility while maintaining mechanical strength through optimized polymer formulation. The polymer's inherent flexibility allows better adaptation to vascular movements and patient anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes polymer material properties to create a flexible stent structure that can conform to vessel geometry and accommodate physiological movements. The polymer shell provides the necessary flexibility that metal stents cannot achieve.
3Ease of manufacture
If prepolymer solution is forced onto a tube surface and polymerized, then polymeric stent production is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first forming a uniform polymer coating on the tube surface through controlled prepolymer deposition, then subsequently laser-cutting the stent pattern. This sequence simplifies manufacturing compared to attempting to laser-cut directly from bulk polymer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical forming methods with laser cutting technology to create stent patterns. This substitution enables precise, complex geometries to be achieved with simpler tooling and less mechanical complexity in the manufacturing process.
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 polymeric stents demonstrate effective radial force and durability, maintaining vessel patency and compatibility, as shown in preclinical evaluations, with potential for use in various vascular applications from small neuro vessels to the abdominal aorta.
Implementation Method 1
Initiating polymerization of the prepolymer solution can be accomplished using heat and/or ultraviolet light
Implementation Method 2
the forcing accomplished using centripetal force supplied when the tube is spun along a transverse axis
Implementation Method 3
the polymer tube is modified by laser cutting the tube into a shape and/or pattern that can be used as a polymeric stent
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of forming and/or manufacturing polymeric stents are disclosed. Polymeric stents are also disclosed.