Tissue engineering stent model with long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic technique.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Artery stents are crucial medical devices for treating cardiovascular diseases.
• Developing biocompatible and mechanically robust tissue engineering stents remains a challenge.
• Integrating advanced material processing techniques can enhance stent performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct novel artery stents using a combination of long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) and electrospinning techniques.
• To evaluate the morphology, mechanical properties, and biological performance of the developed tissue engineering stents.
• To assess the potential of these biodegradable stents for cardiovascular applications.

Main Methods:

• Biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol yarns were coated with polycaprolactone/polyethylene glycol blends using the LFT technique.
• Stent structures were formed via weft-knitting and heat treatment.
• Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was electrospun onto the stents to create a functional coating.

Main Results:

• The LFT technique preserved filament softness, aiding the knitting process.
• The blended coating and PEO electrospinning improved stent properties, yielding tensile strength of 59.93 N and compressive strength of 6.10 N.
• In vitro degradation was stabilized, water contact angle was 20.33°, and cell survival rate exceeded 80% within 24 hours.

Conclusions:

• The developed tissue engineering stents demonstrate favorable mechanical strength and biocompatibility.
• The combination of LFT and electrospinning offers a viable method for creating advanced artery stent structures.
• These biodegradable stents show significant potential as candidates for artery repair and regeneration.