Commercial pure titanium – A potential candidate for cardiovascular stent

Abstract

AbstractThe most commonly used metal alloys for manufacturing coronary artery stents platforms are 316 L stainless steel, cobalt‐chromium, tantalum, and titanium alloys. Cobalt‐based alloys have several advantages: good flexibility, radial strength, and better radiopacity. But still, concern about their cytotoxicity exists. In comparison, commercially pure titanium possesses excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility properties. However, it faces a problem with its mechanical strength during the development of stents, thereby deteriorating its radial strength and making it a poor radiopaque element. This review illustrated the properties of titanium and strategies to overcome the disadvantages of commercially pure titanium: Surface treatment, polymer coating, and warm treatment. The importance of radiopacity and radial strength in post‐clinical imaging techniques and metals compatibility with the imaging devices are also introduced. The findings suggest that by controlling the springback effect via warm treatment, the elastic energy of commercially pure titanium decreases and hence, prevent the recoiling phenomenon. The reduction in the recoiling effect may improve the radial strength of titanium. This work has addressed the limitations of commercially pure titanium to overcome them in the future while developing as a cardiovascular stent.