The Effect of Static and Dynamic Loading on Degradation of PLLA Stent Fibers

PLLA is a commonly used biodegradable polymer in stent designs because it is non-toxic and easily eliminated from the body. However, very little is known about the effect of loading conditions on the degradation rate. Rajagopal and Wineman developed a model of polymer degradation which is driven by load applied to the fiber [1]. Soares et. al. further developed this model for use with PLLA stent fibers under tensile loading conditions [2]. In this model the degradation rate is linearly related to deformation through the radius in the (I_B, II_B) plane. Both models predict that greater deformation will induce a higher degree of degradation.