Zinc exhibits ideal physiological corrosion behavior for bioabsorbable stents

Abstract

Zinc is proposed as an exciting new biomaterial for use in bioabsorbable cardiac stents. Not only is zinc a physiologically relevant metal with behavior that promotes healthy vessels, but it combines the best behaviors of both current bioabsorbable stent materials: iron and magnesium. Shown here is a composite image of zinc degradation in a murine (rat) artery.