Medical PI tube: Innovative application of self-expanding stent fixed sheath

Unique performance of PI tube
Polyimide (PI) is a high-performance polymer with excellent thermal stability, chemical stability and mechanical strength. In the medical field, especially in the manufacture of interventional devices, PI materials are favored for their unique physical and chemical properties. Its high strength means that PI tubes can maintain stable shape under extreme conditions and are not easy to deform or break, which is crucial for self-expanding stents that need to withstand the complex environment and blood flow impact in blood vessels. In addition, PI materials also have good biocompatibility, which means that it will not produce adverse reactions with human tissues, reduce the risk of inflammatory response and rejection after implantation, and ensure the safety of long-term implantation.

Challenges and needs of self-expanding stents
Self-expanding stents are deployed in blood vessels through their own elastic recovery force, supporting the narrowed or occluded parts and restoring blood flow. However, the successful implantation of stents does not only depend on their own materials and design. How to maintain precise position in the body and avoid displacement or falling off is also a severe challenge. Especially in areas with curved, bifurcated blood vessels or turbulent blood flow, the stability of the stent is particularly critical. Traditional fixation methods may involve additional suturing or the use of adhesives, but these methods not only increase the complexity of the operation, but may also bring additional risks.

Advantages of PI tube as a fixed sheath
Medical PI tube as a fixed sheath for self-expanding stents provides an ideal solution. The flexibility of the PI tube enables it to fit closely to the stent and the vascular wall to form a stable support structure, effectively preventing the displacement or detachment of the stent. At the same time, the bioinertness of the PI material reduces the interaction with the tissue, reduces the foreign body reaction, promotes the coverage and healing process of endothelial cells, and accelerates the integration of the stent with the surrounding tissue.

More importantly, the design flexibility of the PI tube allows customized processing according to specific treatment needs, such as adjusting the wall thickness, length and shape to adapt to the vascular structure and lesion characteristics of different parts. This personalized design not only improves the accuracy of treatment, but also further optimizes the treatment effect and comfort of patients.

Clinical application and future prospects
Currently, the application of medical PI tube as a fixed sheath for self-expanding stents has shown significant results in the treatment of multiple cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, etc. With the continuous advancement of materials science and medical technology, the application scope of PI materials is expected to be further broadened, such as the development of smart sheaths with drug release function to achieve local drug therapy after stent implantation, further promote vascular recovery, and reduce the risk of restenosis.