Metallic Biodegradable Coronary Stent: Degradation Study

Abstract

Excellent mechanical properties and controllable degradation behavior without inducing toxicological problems are the key features of material for biodegradable stent. Iron-manganese alloys have shown comparable mechanical and physical properties to those of 316L stainless steel. Their degradation characteristics were then investigated including in vitro cell viability. A rather uniform corrosion mechanism was observed and metal hydroxides with calcium/phosphorus-containing layers were identified as degradation products. A low inhibition to fibroblast cells metabolic activities was noticed. The results demonstrated the potential of iron-manganese alloys to be developed as degradable metallic biomaterials.