Biodegradable Stents Are a Promising Alternative to Permanent Stents
Biodegradable stents (or bioresorbable stents) are medical devices made from bio-absorbent material such as metal or polymer used to achieve normal flow of blood or other blood fluids in the case of narrowed or clogged blood vessels. A stent is a small tube that can be inserted into a blocked passageway to keep it open. Biodegradable stents serve the same purpose but is manufactured from a material that may dissolve or be absorbed into the body. Biodegradable stents are used to solve the lingering problem of in-stent restenosis. Moreover, biodegradable stents can deliver more drugs to the target site than a thin coating of the drug on metallic stents. Over the years, several innovative biodegradable stents have been innovated and developed as potential alternatives to the now-ubiquitous permanent heart-shaped cardiovascular stents currently in use. Furthermore, biodegradable stents are proved to be effective in real-world applications. A potential breakthrough in the field of bio