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Improved biocompatibility of Zn-Ag-based stent materials by microstructure refinement.
Roger J Guillory1, Ehsan Mostaed2, Alexander A Oliver3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, USA.
Acta Biomaterialia
|April 3, 2022
Summary
Engineered zinc-silver alloys show improved biocompatibility for medical implants. Solution treatment enhances alloy properties, reducing adverse biological responses and neointimal growth for better implant performance.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Medical Device Development
Background:
- Bioresorbable zinc (Zn)-based alloys are promising for medical implants.
- Understanding the link between material properties and biological responses is crucial for alloy development.
- Silver (Ag) additions influence Zn alloy performance but require careful microstructural control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biocompatibility of Zn-Ag alloys with varying compositions and microstructures.
- To clarify the relationship between elemental profile, microstructure, and biological response in Zn-Ag systems.
- To assess the impact of solution treatment on alloy properties and in vivo performance.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of binary and quinary Zn-Ag alloys.
- Application of solution treatment (ST) to modify alloy microstructure.
- In vitro corrosion testing and metallographic analysis of in vivo implants.
- Histomorphometric evaluation of biocompatibility and neointimal growth.
Main Results:
- The quinary Zn-Ag-Cu-Mn-Zr alloy demonstrated superior biocompatibility.
- Solution treatment improved alloy strength, ductility, and corrosion uniformity.
- ST reduced the fraction of Ag-rich precipitates, enhancing biocompatibility.
- The quinary alloy significantly reduced neointimal growth compared to other systems.
Conclusions:
- Zn-Ag alloys can be metallurgically engineered for reduced neointimal growth.
- Solution treatment enhances biocompatibility by optimizing microstructure and corrosion behavior.
- Controlling elemental additions and microstructural changes regulates cellular responses in degradable Zn implants.
