Degradation of vascular devices (de-vasc): a combined engineering and biological approach

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The PI has established a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and biologists with the view to develop novel methodologies to understand the metal-vascular biology interface that is established during stent or graft placement using core underpinning engineering and biological sciences. Expandable metallic structures (typically Co-based or NiTi alloys), known as 'stents', are commonly used to treat Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Diseases (PAOD), a thickening of the artery wall as a result of proliferation of intimal-smooth-muscle cells and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA), a weakening of the aorta. PAOD and AAA are commonly treated with braided or a series of overlapping stents resulting in multiple metal-metal contacts being established in-vivo. A thorough understanding of the degradation processes and their role on the remodeling of the vasculature does not exist. This project will fuse contemporary tribocorrosion methods with unique patient specific cell cultures (ie cells obtained from a human donor undergoing vascular intervention) to quantify the synergy between mechanical, corrosion and biological approaches. Novel surface science approaches will then be explored, using the developed methodologies, with the view to further understand and increase the bio-compatibility of future implanted devices. The framework established as part of this grant will bridge the current gap in bio-compatibility testing.The development of an instrument combining mechanical and corrosive processes with clinically relevant biology (all of which are present and interacting in-vivo) will provide an alternative to simplistic static cell culture and complex animal models. This has the potential to significantly reduce R&D costs through more effective screening of prospective technologies as well as reducing the need for animal testing.