Optimize PLA/EVA Polymers Blend Compositional Coating for Next Generation Biodegradable Drug-Eluting Stents

Abstract

In this research work, polymer blends of poly-lactic acid (PLA)/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) were prepared as the drug carrier materials for a bi-layer drug-loaded coating film for coronary stents. Different optimum compositions of blends were prepared by using an intense mixer. Then, the blends were hot-pressed and later cold-pressed to prepare for films of different thickness. The changes in weight, surface analysis and biodegradability with increasing time were studied using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), weight loss and biodegradability tests. The mechanical and thermal properties of drug-loaded films were studied through universal testing machine (UTM) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of PLA, EVA and drug contents on in-vitro drug contents were investigated through the Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-VIS) chemical analysis technique. The results obtained clearly showed that the addition of PLA promoted the unleashing of the drug whereas the addition of EVA nearly did not have the same affect. The mechanical properties of these various films can be tuned by adjusting the contents of blend parts. The factors affecting the unleashing of the drug became a serious matter of concern in evaluating the performance of bio-resorbable drug eluting stents. As a result, today's chemical blends may be useful drug carrier materials for drug-loaded tube coatings capable delivering purgative drug in an incredibly tunable and regulated manner.