Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS, cilt.223, sa.4, ss.1-13, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Biodegradable intravascular stents provide significant clinical advantages by avoiding long-term complications caused by permanent metallic implants. Nevertheless, their poor radiopacity under X-ray imaging has remained a major limitation, restricting precise intraoperative placement and reliable follow-up monitoring. This study addresses the challenge by developing a composite filament composed of polylactic acid (PLA) and uniformly dispersed tantalum (Ta) microparticles at concentrations between 0.1 and 1.0 wt%. Filaments were fabricated through a two-step extrusion process: twin-screw compounding for uniform particle dispersion, followed by single-screw extrusion for consistent dimensional tolerances, enabling fused deposition modeling-based 3D-printing. Intravascular stents were designed, printed, and implanted into a multilumen vascular phantom for radiographic evaluation. Radiopacity was assessed qualitatively using angiographic and radiographic imaging under clinically relevant conditions. Results revealed that Ta incorporation significantly improved X-ray visibility, with optimal reinforcement of 0.75 wt% for angiography and 0.5 wt% for radiography. Above these levels, excess scattering and contrast saturation caused image blurring. The findings validate a scalable, marker-free strategy that maintains biodegradability while providing real-time stent visualization during angioplasty and throughout degradation. Additionally, the radiopaque feature facilitates integration with drug-eluting designs and imaging-based monitoring. Overall, the PLA–Ta system offers a clinically feasible solution to visibility limitations, enhancing procedural accuracy, complication detection, and patient outcomes.