Design strategy of poly (L‐lactic acid) mixed braided stent: The influence of braiding ratio of thick and thin monofilaments

Abstract

For the design of polymer stents, supportability and flexibility are two important indexes, but they are often difficult to balance. The mixed braiding of monofilaments with different diameters provides a potential solution to balance these two indices. In this study, the influence of mixed braiding on the mechanical properties of the stent was further explored by adjusting the knitting ratio of thick and thin monofilaments. By replacing the monofilaments in the stent with monofilaments with smaller diameters in turn, the changing trend of supportability and flexibility is obtained. The results show that, when the number of thick monofilaments is greater than or equal to that of thin monofilaments, the supportability of the stent can not only be maintained but also the flexibility can be greatly improved. Therefore, mixed braiding has the function of adjusting supportability and flexibility.