A Novel Intelligent Vascular Stent: Preparation and Characterization of Hydrophobic Steel Mesh Stent with Liquid Surface Tension Response.

An intelligent vascular stent was fabricated from a hydrophobic mesh tube, which cans in-situ release thrombolytic drugs only by an injection of nitroglycerin solution. The mesh with 80# pore size has the highest hydrophobic property and the most sensitive response performance after 3.00 wt% (Heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2,-tetradecyl)trimethoxysilane (HFTES) treatment. This may be due to the larger hydrophobic effective area and more active fluorine groups of 80# mesh surface treated by 3.00 wt% HFTES. It was proved that the "thrombolytic medicine" could be easily and efficiently into the interior of the stent after triggered only by an injection of nitroglycerin liquid. The in-situ thrombolytic effect and the spent time were satisfactory. The thrombosis had been completely dissolved. This technology provides a potential therapy for vascular restenosis and has great potential applications in the therapy for in-stent restenosis.