IMPROVEMENT OF STENTING THERAPY WITH A SILICON-CARBIDE COATED TANTALUM STENT

State of the art cardiovascular stent materials are a compromise betwe en bulk properties and surface related properties. As a consequence, d eficiencies in both characteristics lead to serious limitations of ste nting therapy. Beside a dissatisfying X-ray visibility of current sten t materials, which hinders precise angiographic control of the stent d uring implantation, insufficient hemocompatibility causes subacute ves sel occlusions despite stringent anticoagulant medication. Additionall y, bleeding complications result which further limit the therapeutical success. Therefore it is essential to develop a new coronary stent wi th improved material properties for the bulk of the stent and its surf ace. This is realized by a hybrid concept. The stent is manufactured f rom tantalum, having a high inherent radio-opacity. The stent is coate d with amorphous silicon carbide, optimized for hemocompatibility. An appropriate deposition technology to maximize coating adhesion was dev eloped. Amorphous silicon carbide was investigated in vitro and in viv o to assess its suitability for coronary stents.