ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the manufacturing process of iron-based bioresorbable coronary scaffold (IBS™). The mechanical performances of IBSs are noninferior to the current workhorse stents, which ensures capacities of overdilation and side branch dilation the same as that of cobalt-based alloy stent. Due to the ultra-thin strut, the crossing profile of IBS decreases accordingly, leading to the improvement of its crossability in terms of flexibility and withdrawing force. The IBSs is designed to keep original radial force unchanged in the first 2 or 3 months and then corrode fast with quick reduction of radial force, and totally lose its integrity in about 8 months after implantation. The chapter shows the sirolimus release profile of IBS. It has been found that polymer degradation and iron corrosion have a strong influence on the drug release profile. IBS made of pure iron with trace nitrogen is safe in terms of biocompatibility in comparison to other stent material design with many toxic metallic elements alloyed.
