Development of Biocompatible and bidegradable Mg alloy stents for cardiovascular implant applications

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of premature death in developed countries like Canada. Many such diseases are now treated by inserting medical devices (e.g. intracardiac occlusive devices, intra-vascular stents) implanted through percutaneous or minimally invasive approach. Most implants are of permanent materials (stainless steel, cobalt) that may cause long-term erosion, irritation, inflammation, perforation, infection and lack of growth. Also, the surgical extraction or reintervention in the presence of these devices is difficult or impossible. Bio-degradable implants (e.g. stents) would eliminate these problems correcting the underlying pathology and ”fading away” once the problem is fixed. The new Mg alloy implants (stents) targeted in this research are expected to be significantly more biocompatible and function-efficient than those currently available. This will minimize post-implantation complications & the need for re-intervention, improve the quality of a patient’s life, & decrease health care costs. In this multidisciplinary research, we integrated expertise in materials engineering, electrochemistry, cell biology and cardio-vascular clinical science & practice to develop optimal magnesium (Mg) alloy (s) for intravascular implant fabrication. The optimal alloys are developed in a step-wise fashion to attain bio-corrosion resistance, bio-compatibility and mechanical integrity (strength, ductility, bendability). In this part of the research the alloys are tested in simulated-body fluid to evaluate bio-corrosion by monitoring mass loss, and the pH of the solution. Mechanical testing is conducted via tensile and three-point bending tests.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mihriban Pekguleryuz

Student:

Karan Narang

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

University:

McGill University

Program:

Globalink