Study of Polymer based Optimum Blend Compositions for Multifunctional Coatings of Drug Eluting Stents (DES) with Optimized Biodegradability and Biocompatibility

Abstract

In the recent advancements in the field of coronary artery diseases, drug-eluting stents have gained a lot of recognition and significance due to their ability to play the vital roles in regulating problems like restenosis, vessel blockage, occlusion, etc. In this study, blends of Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Chitosan were prepared as the drug carriers in which the coronary stents were coated with bi-layer drug-loaded coatings. Entirely variant compositions of blends were prepared using an intense blend mixer. The compositions were hot pressed in composite press and cold pressed to prepare the sheets of different thickness. Different tests were performed to analyze the changes in weight loss, surface morphology and biodegradability using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), weight loss, and biodegradability tests. Thermal gravimetric chemical analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared Microscopy were also done for thermal and functional group analysis. In-vitro drug content analysis was performed to investigate the effects of PCL, Chitosan, and the drug using UV-Vis chemical analysis technique. The outcomes unequivocally demonstrated that while the promotion of Chitosan almost completely failed to promote the drug release, the addition of PCL did. The composition of blend portions can be changed to modify the mechanical characteristics of these different films. When assessing the efficacy of bioresorbable drug-eluting stents, the variables driving the drug's release become a very important concern. Consequently, the chemical blends that are being employed may be useful drug carrier materials for coatings for drug-loaded tubing that can release drug in a very controlled and customizable way.