[[Image:Geodistribution5.png|thumb|center|600px|Geographical Activity]]
==Trends in stent R&D==
* Given that the first bare metal stent entered the market in 1994, the technology is far from mature.
* Whilst drug eluting stents will be improved through the use of what are described as more ‘cell friendly’ (i.e. more hydrophobic) coatings and adapted (by using CFD in stent design) to varying wall sheer conditions, the industry is already well down the road of developing bioresorbable coatings and even bioresorbable stents.
* Such systems are already on limited trial in Europe with FDA trials aimed at 2012 and approval by 2015.
* There are still other areas under study including thinner struts which are important in terms of giving improved stent flexibility, a reduced cross-sectional profile within the vessel and potentially reduced restenosis (due to reduced vascular trauma).
* Silicon carbides, carbon coatings, titanium nitride/oxide and sputtered indium oxide have all been trialled as routes to reducing the incidence of restenosis and/or thrombosis.
* Click here for recent news and developments in [[Boston Scientific]] and [[Cook INC]]
'''Source''' [http://www.ceram.com/newsroom/news-releases/ceram-examines-the-future-of-stent-materials/ Ceram-newsrelease]