Scientists Develop Bioresorbable Stents With Drug-delivering Nanoparticles

Bare metal stents (designed to keep the vessel open) or drug eluting stents (metal stents treated to release specific drugs are the traditional methods of treating blood vessel blockages.

Researchers from Seoul National University have developed a bioresorbable stent that has several other features built into it. The stent is made of a magnesium alloy and incorporates nanoparticles to reduce the level of damaging reactive oxygen species, with anti-inflammatory drugs.

The nanoparticles, which acts as antioxidants can be triggered using, directed infrared light, flow and temperature sensors for physiological sensing, and an array for data storage.

The feasibility and safety of the stents using a canine model has been tested but some of the components used in the stent would have to go through regulatory approval before its use in humans. The team now plans to focus on developing a method to incorporate wireless batteries and data communication into the stent design.

Source: Medindia