Comparative analysis of the deformation characteristics of biodegradable polymers considered as a material for vascular stents

Abstract

The research represents an attempt to find a polymer alternative to intravascular metallic implants. Materials were selected considering mechanical properties and deformation behavior of blood vessels, assuming that convergence regions of vessel and polymeric material strain characteristics ensure the uniformity of deformations at the implant/tissue interface and may reduce postimplantation side-effects. The findings of the research facilitated review the potential use of biodegradable polymers and their composites for the development of vessel stents; a successful attempt to create stent prototype using selected material has been made.