Fabrication and evaluation of hydrophobic metal stent using electron beam equipment

The objective of this study was to fabricate a novel hydrophobic stent for reducing restenosis by employing electron beam equipment. The stent was fabricated from a CoCr alloy tube by using a femtosecond laser and was treated with argon plasma. Subsequently, the stent’s surface specification changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. Application of the electron beam offers several advantages such as a short processing time, whole surface reforming, and enhancement of material properties. As the surface of the stent was rendered hydrophobic, it can provide equivalent or enhanced mechanical properties and greater functionality with a higher radial force at the extended stent in a blood vessel. The obtained results corresponding to the mechanical properties indicate that the contact angle increased to approximately 130o, and the radial force increased to approximately 3 N. Furthermore, cell culture experiments were conducted for verifying whether cells were cultured on the surface-modified CoCr surface. Based on the obtained results, it is believed that an effective reduction in the restenosis of inserted vascular stents is possible.