Preparation of a biocompatible stent surface by plasma polymerization followed by chemical grafting of drug compounds

Abstract

The preparation of a biocompatible stent surface was investigated by plasma polymerization of 1,2-diaminocyclohexane (DACH) followed by chemical grafting of α-lipoic acid (ALA). The plasma polymerization resulted in the deposition of a thin polymer film containing amine groups. ALA could be grafted chemically to the thin film through the formation of an amide bond in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide methiodide (carbodiimide). The ALA-grafted film showed good mechanical stability and blood compatibility, and a stent coated with the film was shown to be effective at inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia.