Focusing on the problems of "room temperature aging" and "work softening" of zinc alloy as vascular stent materials, this project cooperating with the American research team has carried out a series of research work including the strengthening and toughening design and preparation of degradable zinc alloys for vascular stent, the precision processing and performance regulation of zinc alloy microtubules for stent, the structural optimization design and precision manufacturing process development of zinc alloy vascular stent, the functional coating for selective growth of cells and promoting endothelialization, and the in vivo study of zinc alloy stents. Through the implementation of the project, the above problems have been successfully overcome, and the prototype of zinc alloy vascular stent has been effective ly supported in the coronary arteries of large animals (pigs) for more than 9 months. The initial radial support force is greater than 1.2N/mm. Endothelialization is completed within one month, and degradation is completed within about 2 years, the research achievements of the project reaching the international advanced level. At present, the technical system of a new generation of fully biodegradable zinc alloy vascular stent products with independent intellectual property rights has been established. It has a series of core technology patents from high strength and toughness degradable zinc alloy materials, precision processing technology of micro tubes, structural design of stents, functional coating, etc., laying a foundation for the future clinical transformation of zinc alloy vascular stents. It is of great significance to create a brand of degradable zinc alloy vascular stent in China. The implementation of this project has strengthened the cooperation between the project teams of China and the United States, and enhanced China's influence in the field of degradable metal technology. This project has trained several scientific research talents including one Chinese Outstanding Young Scholar.
