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3D-Printed Shape Memory Poly(alkylene terephthalate) Scaffolds as Cardiovascular Stents Revealing Enhanced
Lenny Van Daele1, Victor Chausse2, Laurens Parmentier1
1Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group (PBM), Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4-bis, Ghent, B-9000, Belgium.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|February 8, 2024
Summary
A novel polymer, poly(hexamethylene terephthalate), shows promise for cardiovascular stents. These 3D-printed stents exhibit superior mechanical properties and promote rapid endothelialization, potentially reducing restenosis and thrombosis risks.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Cardiovascular Engineering
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality globally.
- Current stent treatments face challenges like arterial wall damage, restenosis, and thrombosis due to delayed endothelialization.
- Advanced materials are needed to improve cardiovascular intervention outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate poly(hexamethylene terephthalate) as a novel material for cardiovascular stents.
- To optimize the synthesis and characterization of high molar mass poly(hexamethylene terephthalate).
- To evaluate the performance and biocompatibility of 3D-printed stents made from this polymer.
Main Methods:
- Optimized synthesis of poly(hexamethylene terephthalate) to achieve high molar masses (up to 126.5 kg mol⁻¹).
- Chemical and thermal analysis of the synthesized polymers.
- 3D printing of personalized cardiovascular stents using solvent-cast direct-writing.
- Assessment of stent expansion via shape memory behavior and compression resistance.
- Accelerated hydrolytic degradation study (6 months).
- In vitro biological evaluation, including hemocompatibility and endothelialization assessment.
Main Results:
- High molar mass poly(hexamethylene terephthalate) was successfully synthesized and characterized.
- 3D-printed stents demonstrated shape memory-driven expansion and superior compression resistance compared to poly(l-lactide) stents.
- The polymer exhibited good hydrolytic stability over a 6-month degradation study.
- In vitro tests showed the material is non-hemolytic and supports significant endothelialization within 7 days.
Conclusions:
- Poly(hexamethylene terephthalate) is a promising candidate for advanced cardiovascular stent applications.
- The developed 3D-printed stents offer improved mechanical performance and biocompatibility.
- This novel polymer has the potential to enhance the success rate of cardiovascular interventions by promoting faster healing and reducing complications.
