Surface modification of coronary artery stent by Ti–O/Ti–N complex film coating prepared with plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition

This paper reported the work of surface coating of Ti–O/Ti–N complex films on coronary stents by means of the plasma immersion ion implantation/deposition process. The deformation behavior of the Ti–O/Ti–N coated stainless steel stents was investigated. In vivo investigation of the anticoagulation behavior of Ti–O coated coronary stents was also performed. The results of mechanical characterization of the Ti–O/Ti–N coated stents show that the film has strong binding strength, and to some extent the ability to withstand plastic deformation. The biological response behavior of the coated stent surface was significantly different from the uncoated. The results of implantation of stents into rabbit ventral aorta show no thrombus formation on the surfaces of the Ti–O coated stents, although serious coagulation had occurred on the surfaces of unmodified stents over a period of 4 weeks under conditions with no anticoagulant.