Biocompatibility and Mechanical Stability of Nanopatterned Titanium Films on Stainless Steel Vascular Stents

Abstract

Nanoporous ceramic coatings such as titania are promoted to produce drug-free cardiovascular stents with a low risk of in-stent restenosis (ISR) because of their selectivity towards vascular cell proliferation. The brittle coatings applied on stents are prone to cracking because they are subjected to plastic deformation during implantation. This study aims to overcome this problem by using a unique process without refraining from biocompatibility. Accordingly, a titanium film with 1 µm thickness was deposited on 316 LVM stainless-steel sheets using magnetron sputtering. Then, the samples were anodized to produce nanoporous oxide. The nanoporous oxide was removed by ultrasonication, leaving an approximately 500 nm metallic titanium layer with a nanopatterned surface. XPS studies revealed the presence of a 5 nm-thick TiO2 surface layer with a trace amount of fluorinated titanium on nanopatterned surfaces. Oxygen plasma treatment of the nanopatterned surface produced an additional 5 nm-thick fluoride-free oxide layer. The samples did not exhibit any cracking or spallation during plastic deformation. Cell viability studies showed that nanopatterned surfaces stimulate endothelial cell proliferation while reducing the proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Plasma treatment further accelerated the proliferation of endothelial cells. Activation of blood platelets did not occur on oxygen plasma-treated, fluoride-free nanopatterned surfaces. The presented surface treatment method can also be applied to other stent materials such as CoCr, nitinol, and orthopedic implants.

Fine-Tuning the Nanostructured Titanium Oxide Surface for Selective Biological Response

“…The adhesion of platelets is an indicator of surface hemocompatibility: the lower the platelet adhesion and their activation on the surface, the higher the material’s biocompatibility with blood . Hence, it is required that an ideal stent/implant material should primarily inhibit platelet adhesion and activation and also inhibit migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and improve the integrity and viability of the endothelial cell layer. , Several surface modification methods based on several types of coatings (organic and inorganic) have been recommended. These coatings alter the physicochemical properties of the surface such as roughness, morphology, surface chemistry, and wettability, which affect interaction with the biological environment. − The surface modification via nanostructuring can be achieved using various methodologies, for instance, electrospinning, , electrochemical anodization, − sandblasting, , nonthermal plasma treatment, and hydrothermal treatment. ,, Titanium and its alloys are commonly used in cardiovascular applications such as stents and artificial heart valves due to their biocompatibility, lightweight, nonmagnetic, and excellent corrosion resistance , properties.…”

“… 9 Hence, it is required that an ideal stent/implant material should primarily inhibit platelet adhesion and activation and also inhibit migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and improve the integrity and viability of the endothelial cell layer. 10 , 11 Several surface modification methods based on several types of coatings (organic and inorganic) have been recommended. These coatings alter the physicochemical properties of the surface such as roughness, morphology, surface chemistry, and wettability, which affect interaction with the biological environment.…”