| Abstract Scope |
Implants are used for both opening up and closing cardiovascular vessels or defects. A stent is used for reopening clogged arteries, while an occluder is employed for patching up a defect or hole. Historically, such implants have been made of biostable materials; however, the implants are not needed after performing their intended function, and can be a liability when present permanently. This highlights the need for biodegradable versions of these devices.
In our laboratory, we have developed fully-resorbable stents for ureteric, tracheal and peripheral vasculature/ coronary artery applications. I will describe the materials evaluated and the state of its development.
Our experience with the resorbable stent led to other cardiovascular applications such as closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) or patent foramen ovale (PFO). For this application (temporary occlusion), two major designs were developed and tested, and will be described in terms of their performance in vitro and in vivo. |