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Optimize PLA/EVA Polymers Blend Compositional Coating for Next Generation Biodegradable Drug-Eluting Stents
Naila Ishaque1, Nauman Naseer2, Muhammad Asad Abbas1
1Polymer Research Lab, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan.
Polymers
|September 9, 2022
Summary
Poly-lactic acid (PLA) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends create tunable drug carriers for coronary stents. PLA enhances drug release, while EVA has minimal effect, enabling controlled drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Coronary stents require advanced drug delivery systems for effective treatment.
- Bio-resorbable drug-eluting stents necessitate precisely controlled drug release mechanisms.
- Polymer blends offer tunable properties for drug carrier applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize poly-lactic acid (PLA)/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer blends as drug carriers for coronary stent coatings.
- To investigate the influence of PLA and EVA composition on drug release kinetics and mechanical properties.
- To evaluate the biodegradability and thermal stability of the drug-loaded films.
Main Methods:
- Polymer blend preparation using an intense mixer.
- Film fabrication via hot and cold pressing.
- Characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), weight loss, biodegradability tests, Universal Testing Machine (UTM), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA).
- In-vitro drug release studies using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-VIS) Spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- PLA addition significantly promoted drug release, while EVA had a negligible effect.
- Mechanical and thermal properties of the films were tunable by adjusting blend composition.
- SEM analysis provided insights into surface morphology changes.
- Weight loss and biodegradability tests indicated material stability over time.
Conclusions:
- PLA/EVA blends are promising candidates for tunable drug carrier materials in coronary stent coatings.
- The composition of the polymer blend critically influences drug release profiles.
- These materials offer a regulated and tunable approach for delivering therapeutic agents from drug-eluting stents.
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