title: Collapse pressures of biodegradable stents.
abstract: Biodegradable stent prototypes were produced from poly L-lactic acid polymers with different molecular weights. The effects of molecular weight, drug incorporation and stent design on the collapse pressure of the stents were evaluated. While molecular weights did not show a significant effect on the collapse pressure of the stents, drug incorporation at high percentage decreased the collapse pressure of the stents substantially. Cryogenic fracture surfaces showed significant drug agglomeration as the concentration increased. The design of the stent was also found to a have significant effect on the collapse pressure. The stent produced from the same material has a higher collapse pressure when the load bearing surface area is increased.
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, N4.1-1-30 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore, Singapore. assubbu@ntu.edu.sg
authors.forename: Subbu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venkatraman
authors.forename: Tan Lay
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Poh
authors.forename: Tjong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vinalia
authors.forename: Koon Hou
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Freddy
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boey
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002309:Cardiology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011312:Pressure; D015607:Stents; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013806:Theophylline / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D013806:Theophylline