Patent Description:
Bioresorbable scaffolds formed from a magnesium alloy are used in resorbable implants intended for vascular surgery, for example coronary or peripheral implants, for example for stents or in heart valve replacement. The scaffolds are produced by being cut out from a tubular semi-finished product, for example by means of laser. The scaffolds are often introduced minimally invasively into the body of the patient. For implantation of this kind, the scaffold has a state with a small diameter, in order to transport it, for example along the blood vessels of the patient, to the site of the treatment. There, such a scaffold is then transferred, for example by means of a balloon, into a state with a larger diameter (expanded, dilated) in order to perform the desired function in the body of the patient, for example a supporting function for a vessel.

Bioresorbable scaffolds formed from magnesium alloys, on account of their hexagonal lattice structure and their limited number of glide planes, have fundamental disadvantages in plastic forming processes, such as dilation. In the past it has therefore been attempted to provide improvements in respect of tubular semi-finished products for the scaffold by way of alloying and process-related measures. In that case, tests leading to an optimised grain size and the most homogeneous distribution possible of intermetallic phases played a key role. This was usually achieved - with a predefined alloy composition - by the optimisation of thermomechanical forming processes.

Semi-finished tubes can be produced in different ways. Known methods, such as tube drawing, rod drawing or also extrusion bring about a preferred orientation of the grains in the microstructure. This anisotropic microstructure or grain structure significantly influences the mechanical properties of the implant scaffolds produced from the semi-finished products. The semi-finished tubes have advantageous mechanical properties in the direction of their longitudinal axis. This circumstance, however, which is favourable for the tube properties, cannot be utilised to the fullest extent in a scaffold manufactured from these tubes, since this scaffold must also withstand stress moments during the dilation process which do not coincide with the deformation direction.

For example, in the known multi-stage tube drawing process with interstage annealing, the limited formability at room temperature caused by the hexagonal, very close-packed magnesium lattice is taken into consideration. For this reason, only small degrees of forming can be achieved per drawing step at room temperature. The deformation capability is improved by means of intermediate annealing steps, and the semi-finished product in the form of an internally bored blank is deformed until the desired end dimension is achieved. The recurrent deformation capability requires a fully recrystallised microstructure. If this is not achieved after intermediate annealing steps, destruction of the semi-finished product or irreversible crack formation cannot be ruled out. Due to the numerous forming steps and the necessary intermediate annealing steps, this method is very disadvantageous from an economical viewpoint as well.

A single-stage warm extrusion by means of forward or backward hollow extrusion is also prior art. In such an extrusion process, a bored blank is pressed through a heated die. The thermal influences acting during this process are decisive for the characteristics of the mechanical properties. A high forming temperature causes a complete recrystallisation in the microstructure and thus approximately isotropic material properties. However, in the known method, grain growth occurs, which can reduce the tensile strength and elongation at break. In this regard, an extrusion method along with an extrusion tool was disclosed by Golovko at the Tube Ukraine <NUM> international conference, on September <NUM>-<NUM>th <NUM> in Dnepropetrovsk, summarized in the conference magazine at pages <NUM>-<NUM>. Alternatively, with a low forming temperature the grain growth is prevented or hindered. Due to the low temperature, however, the microstructure is only partly dynamically recrystallised, resulting in a strong texture, which results in highly anisotropic material properties.

The objective of the present invention is therefore to minimise or overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. A method is described and a device created which improve the dilatability of an implant scaffold produced from the semi-finished product.

The above object is achieved by the method described in claim <NUM> and by the device described in claim <NUM>.

In particular, the method according to the invention has the following steps:.

In one exemplary embodiment, the die for extruding the tubular semi-finished product is part of an extrusion device which, besides the die, also comprises a ram.

Accordingly, a device according to the invention (tube drawing device) comprises a clamping device, wherein the device is designed in such a way that it generates a tensile stress and/or a torsional stress in the material of the semi-finished product, wherein the tensile force generated for this purpose by the device and/or the torsion moment generated by the tube drawing device is transferable by means of the clamping device to the material of the semi-finished product exiting from the die or the heating device, wherein the clamping device is fixable on a predefined portion of the tubular semi-finished product.

The material of the tubular semi-finished product comprises a magnesium alloy, for example WE43, magnesium-zinc-aluminium, magnesium-aluminium, or magnesium-zinc-calcium. Here, preferably ultra-pure magnesium alloys are used, such as magnesium-zinc-aluminium with <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight Zn and <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight Al or with <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight Zn and <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight Al, such as magnesium-aluminium with <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight Al, in particular <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight, particularly preferably <NUM>% aluminium, such as magnesium-zinc-calcium with <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight Zn and <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight Ca or <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight Zn and <NUM>-<NUM> % by weight Ca. Such ultra-pure magnesium alloys expediently contain, besides the stated alloy elements, less than <NUM> % by weight of other elements (impurities such as Fe, Cu, Co, Si etc. or rare earths).

Alternatively or in combination, the material of the tubular semi-finished product comprises a zinc alloy, in particular a zinc-magnesium-calcium alloy with <NUM> to <NUM> % by weight Mg, in particular <NUM> to <NUM> % by weight Mg, and <NUM> to <NUM> % by weight Ca, in particular <NUM> to <NUM> % by weight Ca, wherein the remainder is formed by zinc and unavoidable impurities.

The fundamental concept of the inventors that is implemented by the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention is based on the introduction of additional stresses (tensile and/or torsional stresses) into the tubular semi-finished product. This can be introduced into the tube directly after the tube extrusion process (performed for example at elevated temperatures) or later within the scope of an additional thermally assisted finishing step by means of the heating device. A metallographic microstructure thus results, which contains grains, of which the preferred orientation does not correspond to the direction of the tube axis and thus the deformation direction of the semi-finished product. The preferred orientation of many grains of the microstructure produced by means of the method according to the invention runs obliquely or transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tubular semi-finished product, so that a mixed grain orientation is created on the whole. The advantage of this mixed grain orientation then takes effect if scaffolds which are fabricated from these tubes are mechanically loaded and plastically deformed during the dilation process. The scaffold regions that have the greatest plastic expansion during the dilation process are identical to the points of origin of cracks which lead to a later failure of the scaffold. On account of the mixed grain orientation provided with natural torsional stresses, the crack propagation that occurs with ongoing plastic deformation of the scaffold is slowed, so that a scaffold produced from the semi-finished product produced in accordance with the invention fails later on average. Consequently, the dilatability or the plastic deformation capability of an implant scaffold produced from the semi-finished product is improved and larger dilation diameters can be used which are extremely desirable from the viewpoint of clinical safety and in addition significantly increase the safety of this class of medicinal product.

The method according to the invention, which is performed with the device according to the invention, additionally causes a grain refinement. This grain refinement, besides the formation of new grains, also comprises the above-described effect in relation to the grain orientation, which in the event of a mechanical load of the scaffold produced from the semi-finished product, advantageously counteracts crack propagation. The solution according to the invention is tailored to the situation of plastic deformation, which is accompanied by crack propagation, wherein the grains of the semi-finished product according to the invention (and thus also of the scaffold produced therefrom) delay crack propagation on account of their orientation. Due to the applied tensile and/or torsional stress, a recrystallisation of amorphous regions of the microstructure is brought about, wherein the grain orientation of the growing grains is different and in particular runs obliquely or transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tubular semi-finished product. This state is "frozen" in each grain once the recrystallisation is not reached.

A suitable temperature range for the material of the semi-finished product heated in the die and consisting of a magnesium alloy is between <NUM> and <NUM>.

A suitable temperature range for the material of the semi-finished product heated in the die and consisting of a zinc alloy is between <NUM> and <NUM>, in particular between <NUM> and <NUM>. Alternatively, a suitable temperature range for the tempering of an extruded tubular semi-finished product consisting of a magnesium alloy for preparation for the effect of the tensile and/or torsional stress is between <NUM> and <NUM>.

For generation of the tensile force, the tube drawing device has a slide (puller) which is movable on or in a guide and which has a clamping device fastened thereto, wherein the guide of the slide is arranged on a corresponding holding device or a corresponding stand. The guide can be formed, for example, as a dovetail guide. To move the slide in the guide, a stepper motor or a pneumatic drive is provided, for example. The movement of the slide generates the tensile force, which is transferred to the material of the semi-finished product via the clamping device connected to the slide. If the slide is driven pneumatically, for example, a force/distance diagram can be specified and implemented by the use of electronic proportional valves.

The clamping device can additionally be mounted rotatably and likewise provided with a a pneumatic drive, wherein the longitudinal axis of the rotation runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular semi-finished produced held by means of the clamping device. The clamping device transfers a torsion moment to the semi-finished product, wherein the torsional stress can be adjusted as a function of the tube length.

The clamping device in the starting state is preferably arranged a few tenths of a millimetre to <NUM> above the die and engages the semi-finished product with parallel grippers or also with a centric gripper. The distance of the gripper from the die increases over the tube length. The clamping diameter of the grippers can be adjusted, for example by means of a millimetre screw.

The above object is also achieved by a system comprising an above-mentioned device (tube drawing device) and.

According to the invention has the device a slide (<NUM>) which is movable on or in a guide, which generates the tensile force, and which is connected to the clamping device (<NUM>) and the slide (<NUM>) is driven pneumatically The temperature ranges for the die of the extrusion device or the heating device that are advantageous for a magnesium alloy or zinc alloy have already been stated above.

The above object is also achieved correspondingly by a tubular semi-finished product for an implant scaffold produced by means of the above-mentioned method and by an implant scaffold produced by cutting from the tubular semi-finished product, for example by means of laser cutting. The cut-out scaffold can then be electropolished and coated as necessary.

The above object is likewise achieved by an implant for implantation in a bodily lumen, wherein the implant comprises a tubular basic structure which contains a magnesium alloy and/or zinc alloy, wherein the magnesium and/or zinc alloy has a grain structure formed from uniform and equally distributed grains with a mixed grain orientation, wherein the tubular basic structure in a starting state has a plurality of bars which are oriented at least in part in the circumferential direction. The implant can be compressed by a plastic deformation and expanded by a later plastic deformation to up to <NUM>% of the diameter in the starting state, without any of the bars oriented at least in part in the circumferential direction breaking.

A bar oriented at least in part in the circumferential direction is understood within the scope of the application to mean a bar that has an angle of <<NUM>°, in particular <<NUM>° with the circumferential direction. A bar that has an angle of <NUM>° with the circumferential direction is oriented accordingly in the circumferential direction. A bar, often also referred to as a strut, is understood to mean an elongate structure that is straight or wound, in particular wound in an S shape. The orientation of a structure wound in this way corresponds to the centre of gravity vector.

An implant for implantation in a bodily lumen is in particular a stent for implantation in a blood vessel.

The starting state is understood to mean the implant as it is obtained after having been cut out from the tubular semi-finished product and after optional electropolishing and/or coating.

The starting state of the implant is thus the state before the implant is compressed onto a catheter, in particular a balloon catheter, for insertion of the implant. The compression and thus fastening of the implant on the catheter is often also referred to as crimping.

A breakage of the bars is understood within the scope of the application to mean a crack that passes at least once through the entire cross section of the bars.

The grains in one embodiment have a mean grain size of at most <NUM> micrometres, preferably at most <NUM> micrometres.

The invention will be explained hereinafter on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the figures. All features that are described and/or shown in the figures, individually or in any combination, form the subject matter of the invention, also independently of their compilation in the claims or the dependency references of the claims.

The system according to the invention shown in <FIG> is intended for producing a tubular semi-finished product for a scaffold of an implant. The system has an extrusion device <NUM> with a heated die <NUM>. The material <NUM> to be extruded is arranged in a recess of the die. The material <NUM> is pressed from a shaping outlet opening <NUM> using a ram <NUM>. The outlet opening <NUM>, which is created from the interaction of the ram <NUM> and the die <NUM>, has a hollow-cylindrical form, so that a tubular or hollow-cylindrical semi-finished product <NUM> is created. The die <NUM> heats the material <NUM>, for example in a temperature range between <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows a tube drawing device <NUM> with an L-shaped holder <NUM> and a slide (puller) <NUM> guided in a rail of the holder <NUM>. A rotary head <NUM> with a pneumatic drive (not shown) is arranged on an arm protruding from the slide <NUM>, which drive is connected to a clamping device <NUM> so that the slide <NUM> is also connected to the clamping device <NUM>. At its end opposite the die <NUM> of the extrusion device <NUM>, the semi-finished product <NUM> that has exited from the outlet opening <NUM> is engaged by the clamping device <NUM>, which is fixedly connected to the semi-finished product <NUM> in this portion <NUM>.

The slide <NUM> is moved upwardly (see arrow <NUM>) in the view of <FIG> in the rail of the holder <NUM>, for example by means of a pneumatic drive. The slide <NUM> generates a tensile force F (see arrow <NUM>), which is transferred via the clamping device <NUM> to the semi-finished product <NUM> and brings about a tensile stress in the material of the semi-finished product <NUM>. The pneumatic drive for the slide <NUM> can comprise electronic proportional valves, by means of which a force/distance diagram can be predefined and implemented.

Alternatively or additionally, the clamping device <NUM> held rotatably in the arm of the slide <NUM> is rotated by means of the rotary head <NUM> by a further pneumatic drive (not shown) about a longitudinal axis which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the tubular semi-finished product <NUM> (for example coincides therewith). This is shown in <FIG> by the arrow <NUM>. A torsion moment M is hereby generated, which is transferred via the clamping device <NUM> to the semi-finished product <NUM> and brings about a torsional stress in the material of the semi-finished product <NUM>. The torsion moment is adjusted as a function of the length of the semi-finished product <NUM>.

It should be emphasised at this juncture that, by means of the tube drawing device <NUM> according to the invention acting on the semi-finished product <NUM>, a tensile stress or a torsional stress or both stresses can be generated in the material of the semi-finished product <NUM> exiting from the extrusion device <NUM>. The tensile force or the torsion moment act here directly on the semi-finished product exiting from the extrusion device.

The clamping device <NUM>, in the starting state, is arranged on the semi-finished product at a distance from the outlet opening <NUM>, wherein the distance is at least <NUM>.

Alternatively, an extruded and initially cooled tubular semi-finished product can be tempered by means of a heating device in a temperature range between <NUM> and <NUM> and a tensile stress and/or torsional stress is then introduced into the heated material of the semi-finished product by means of the above-described pipe drawing device <NUM>.

The tensile stress introduced into the material of the semi-finished product <NUM> lies in the range of from <NUM> N/mm<NUM> to <NUM> N/mm<NUM>, preferably <NUM> N/mm<NUM>, and the introduced torsional stress lies in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>% of the introduced tensile stress, preferably <NUM>% of the tensile stress.

The semi-finished product <NUM> provided with a tensile stress and/or a torsional stress is then cooled in both embodiments.

The implant according to the invention, for example a stent, can be produced from the semi-finished product <NUM> in the known manner by means of laser cutting and subsequent electropolishing.

The material of the semi-finished product <NUM> and thus of the scaffold or the implant is in this embodiment a magnesium alloy, for example WE43, magnesium-zinc-aluminium, magnesium-aluminium or magnesium-zinc-calcium.

As has already been explained above, the introduced stresses cause a grain refinement, with the adjacent grains of the microstructure having a slightly different orientation. The grains are therefore no longer - as in the conventional methods - oriented only in the preferred direction along the longitudinal axis of the tubular semi-finished product (see <FIG>), but are smaller and have a mixed orientation. This can be seen very well in <FIG>, which shows the microstructure once tensile and/or torsional stresses have been introduced by means of the tube drawing device <NUM> according to the invention. More sliding planes are thus available - in the event of plastic deformation, stress peaks in a grain are removed again by the next grain. In addition, the speed of growth of cracks reduces as a result of the torsion moments contained in the material, since cracks in the grains are forced to change their direction. The introduced tensile and/or torsional stresses additionally ensure an increased recrystallisation rate (dynamic recrystallisation). Due to the stresses, the nucleation during the forming is facilitated. A greater number of new grains is thus created, whereby the proportion of the recrystallised microstructure increases (see <FIG>). As a result of this process, isotropic material properties are promoted without grain growth as a result of thermomechanical process influencing. In addition, the microstructure homogeneity in the overall tubular semi-finished product <NUM> is increased, such that a uniform texture is produced along the entire tube length and the entire tube cross section also in the circumferential direction. This in turn increased the isotropic response of a scaffold produced from the semi-finished product during the crimping or the dilation as a prerequisite for use of the scaffold as an implant in the treated bodily lumen.

Claim 1:
A method for producing a tubular semi-finished product (<NUM>) for a scaffold of an implant, wherein the semi-finished product (<NUM>) consists of a magnesium alloy, said method having the following steps:
a) extruding the tubular semi-finished product (<NUM>) by means of a heated die (<NUM>),
b) introducing into the material of the semi-finished product (<NUM>) exiting from the die (<NUM>) a tensile stress by means of a tube drawing device (<NUM>), which has a clamping device (<NUM>), wherein the clamping device is fixed on a predefined portion (<NUM>) of the tubular semi-finished product (<NUM>) and the tensile force generated by the tube drawing device (<NUM>) transfers to the semi-finished product (<NUM>), characterised in that the temperature applied to the material of the semi-finished product heated in the die (<NUM>) is between <NUM> and <NUM>.