ALD mediated heparin grafting on nitinol for self-expanded carotid stents

• Successful ALD mediated heparin immobilization on nitinol surface.
• Al2O3 layer is beneficial to the grafting of biomolecules on metallic surface.
• Improved hemocompatibility of nitinol surface.
• Potential manufacture technology of functional carotid stents.

Carotid-artery atherosclerosis is a common cause of ischemic stroke. Carotid-artery stenting (CAS) is one of the most effective treatments. However, In-stent restenosis (ISR) and re-endothelialization delay are two major issues of intravascular stent which affect clinical safety and reduce effects. In this study, atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology was applied to deposit a layer (10 nm) of Al2O3 on Nitinol surface as an intermediate functional layer. The alumina covered surface was then modified with a coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) and heparin sequentially in order to improve the hemocompatibility of Nitinol stents. The successful graft of APS and heparin onto Nitinol was proven by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Furthermore, the predicted improvement in the biocompatibilities of modified Nitinol was confirmed by water contact angle measurement, protein adsorption, platelet adhesion, and plasma recalcification time determination. The results of hemolysis assay, cell proliferation and cytotoxicity tests revealed that the grafting of heparin on NiTi kept the original positive performance of nitinol material. The results indicate that ALD technology is of great potential for the manufacture of medical devices, especially for surface modifications and functionalization. ALD technology can help with modifications of inert metallic surfaces and therefore benefit implantable medical devices, especially intravascular stents.

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