Self-Expandable Thin Film Nitinol Endografts for Vascular Repair: Manufacturing and Short-Term Results in Swine

A thin film nitinol covered endograft for vessel treatment was manufactured and in vivo swine testing was performed. Thin film nitinol graft material was fabricated by DC sputter deposition and stress-strain behavior and DSC characteristics were investigated. Micro size patterns were fabricated by MEMS technology in order to promote endothelial layer growth. In-vivo studies in swine were conducted to evaluate deployment, placement and patency of the implanted stent device.