Ta implantation and deposition for increased X-Ray visibility and hemocompatibility of vascular stents

Objectives: Coronary stents are seen as the most important step in cardiology of the decade, as they reduce the risk of restenosis after angioplasty and the risk of a second invasive procedure. But still problems concerning occlusion by restenosis or thrombosis have to be overcome, and x-ray contrast of the thin wires has to be improved. The suggested way is coating of the stents with tantalum which is known for its good biocompatibility and hemocompatibility, and its high x-ray absorption.
Deposition of tantalum on stainless steel, the basis of the stent material, is not trivial with common techniques, because of poor adhesion of tantalum. Plasma immersion ion implantation and plasma ion deposition of tantalum are promising ways to create an adherent tantalum layer.
Methods: Tantalum was deposited on flat samples of stainless steel in an argon plasma, 1A Magnetron currency, WHF = 1000 W and 5µs pulse time. Various voltages, bias voltages, pulse counts and temperatures were used.
The adhesion of the tantalum layer was measured in a scratch test. Potentiodynamic corrosion measurement was performed with 0.05M H2SO4 as an electrolyte.
For blood compatibility the activation of freshly prepared blood platelets on the surface was investigated and the clotting time with standard plasma was measured.
Results: For thin coatings (< 1µm) the result of the scratch test was 250mN as a promising result. The coating showed very high corrosion resistance with a corrosion potential between 225 mV and 355 mV and corrosion current densities between 20 nA and 40 nA cm-2.
Results of thrombocyte adhesion, thrombocyte activation and blood clotting time will be presented.
Production of thicker coatings caused problems because of internal stress in the coating.
Conclusion: Coating of stainless steel with tantalum by plasma ion deposition is a good means to increase corrosion resistance and blood compatibility. The production of a thick layer with increased X-ray contrast needs further work.