Poly(Thioctic Acid)-Copper Stent Coating for Faster Endothelialization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drug-eluting stents have issues with delayed endothelialization, side effects from polymer degradation, and high costs, which increase the risk of late stent thrombosis and economic burden.
Innovation Solution
A method for preparing a poly(thioctic acid)-copper (poly(TA-Cu) coating on cardiovascular stent materials, involving surface preparation, a precursor solution formation, and application techniques like dip-coating or spray-coating to create a dense and uniform coating that enhances endothelial cell proliferation and provides anti-thrombotic effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polyester coatings are used on drug-eluting stents, then drug delivery is achieved, but endothelialization is delayed and side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful polyester polymer component from the coating system while retaining the beneficial drug delivery function. The copper-based coating provides the therapeutic effect without the detrimental side effects of conventional polyester coatings, directly eliminating the source of delayed endothelialization and other harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cost-effective copper-based coating material that replaces expensive polyester polymers. The copper coating provides sufficient therapeutic functionality at a lower cost, reducing the economic burden on patients while maintaining or improving clinical performance.
2Reliability
If drug-eluting coatings are applied to stents, then therapeutic effects are provided, but the coating cost increases economic burden on patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive polyester polymer materials with inexpensive copper-based coating materials. This replacement maintains the therapeutic functionality while dramatically reducing material costs, making the stent treatment more economically accessible to patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental material parameter from organic polyester polymers to inorganic copper-based compounds. This parameter change enables a transition from high-cost to low-cost materials while preserving or enhancing the therapeutic effect through copper's inherent biological activity.
3Reliability
If conventional coatings are used, then drug delivery is achieved, but platelet adhesion and thrombosis risk remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts copper, which can be toxic in certain forms, into a beneficial coating through controlled oxidation to form copper oxide or copper hydroxide layers. These oxidized copper forms exhibit excellent anti-thrombotic properties and inhibit platelet adhesion, transforming a potentially harmful metal into a protective therapeutic coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite copper-based coating structure that combines copper oxide/copper hydroxide with polythioctic acid. This composite material provides both the anti-thrombotic benefits of copper and the biocompatibility and drug delivery capabilities of the polymer, achieving multiple functions simultaneously.
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 poly(TA-Cu) coating promotes endothelial cell growth, inhibits platelet adhesion and activation, reduces thrombosis risk, and is cost-effective, offering improved endothelialization and anticoagulation properties.
Implementation Method 1
dissolving thioctic acid in an alcohol solvent to form a mixture, adding anhydrous copper chloride to the mixture to form a mixed solution; stirring the mixed solution, to yield a precursor solution; treating the pre-treated cardiovascular stent material with the precursor solution, and drying, thus forming a poly(TA-Cu) coating
Implementation Method 2
dissolving thioctic acid in an alcohol solvent to form a mixture
Implementation Method 3
poly(TA-Cu) polymers form a chelation bond with copper ions (Cu2+) to promote the generation of nitric oxide (NO) within the human body. The enhancement occurs because Cu2+ acts as catalyst for the conversion of endogenous nitrosothiol donors into NO
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing a poly(thioctic acid)-copper coating (poly(TA-Cu)) on a surface of a cardiovascular stent material includes: grinding a cardiovascular stent material with sandpaper until the surface of the cardiovascular stent material is flat and smooth, rinsing the cardiovascular stent material with deionized water and anhydrous ethanol in sequence, and drying the cardiovascular stent material to obtain a pre-treated cardiovascular stent material; dissolving thioctic acid in an alcoholic solvent, adding anhydrous copper chloride to a mixed solution of thioctic acid and the alcoholic solvent, stirring the mixed solution, to yield a precursor solution; treating the pre-treated cardiovascular stent material with the precursor solution, and drying, thus forming a poly(thioctic acid)-copper coating on the surface of the pre-treated cardiovascular stent material. The concentration of thioctic acid in the alcoholic solvent is 0.1-0.3 g/mL, and the molar ratio of anhydrous copper chloride to thioctic acid monomer is 1:100-5000.