Development of novel magnesium alloys with impoved biocorrosion and mechanical behavior for cardiovascular implants

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Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of premature death in developed countries like Canada. Many such diseases are now treated by inserting medical devices (e.g. intracardiac occlusive devices, intra-vascular stents) implanted through percutaneous or minimally invasive approach. Most implants are of permanent materials (stainless steel, cobalt) that may cause long-term erosion, irritation, inflammation, perforation, infection and lack of growth. Also, the surgical extraction or reintervention in the presence of these devices is difficult or impossible. Bio-degradable implants (e.g. stents) would eliminate these problems correcting the underlying pathology and ''fading away'' once the problem is fixed. In this multidisciplinary research, we integrated expertise in materials engineering, electrochemistry, cell biology and cardio-vascular clinical science & practice to develop optimal magnesium (Mg) alloy (s) for intravascular implant fabrication. The optimal alloys will be developed in a step-wise fashion to attain bio-corrosion resistance, bio-compatibility and mechanical integrity (strength, ductility); they will be tested via state-of-the-art in-vitro & in-vivo (with experimental animal model) preclinical studies. These new Mg alloy implants (stents) are expected to be significantly more biocompatible and function-efficient than those currently available. This will minimize postimplantation complications & the need for re-intervention, improve the quality of a patient's life, & decrease health care costs. 2010 figures for Canada estimate the use of 45000 bare metal stents (BMS) at $550/BMS and 45000 drug eluting stents (DES) at $1300/DES. The development of the biodegradable Mg alloys will create new technology for Baylis Medical, the supporting company, and will allow them to branch into the area of implantable therapeutic devices. The knowledge created will have high impact on biomedical implants technology. The research will also provide an excellent platform for training of high quality personnel in the multidisciplinary fields of materials development, electrochemistry, bio-medical & cardiovascular science, so that they will be positioned to advance this industry in Canada.