Growth of cultured calf aortic smooth muscle cells on cardiovascular prosthetic materials

Porous Heat-Treated Polyacrylonitrile Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

Heat-treated polyacrylonitrile (HT-PAN), also referred to as black orlon (BO), is a promising carbon-based material used for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. To the best of our knowledge, no such complex bone morphology-mimicking three-dimensional (3D) BO structure has been reported to date. We report that BO can be easily made into 3D cryogel scaffolds with porous structures, using succinonitrile as a porogen. The cryogels possess a porous morphology, similar to bone tissue. The prepared scaffolds showed strong osteoconductive activity, providing excellent support for the adhesion, proliferation, and mitochondrial activity of human bone-derived cells. This effect was more apparent in scaffolds prepared from a matrix with a higher content of PAN (i.e., 10% rather than 5%). The scaffolds with 10% of PAN also showed enhanced mechanical properties, as revealed by higher compressive modulus and higher compressive strength. Therefore, these scaffolds have a robust potential for use in bone tissue engineering.

Polymeric Surface Modifications of Tantalum Stents

Purpose:

To compare two kinds of polymer-coated tantalum stents with bare tantalum stents (control) to determine if the coatings can improve thromboresistance.

Methods:

Twenty-seven Fontaine-Dake stents were balloon expanded in three 8-mm × 80-cm.polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts; 9 stents were bare tantalum (T); 9 were coated with polyetherurethane (PL); and 9 were coated with parylene (PA). There were 9 stents placed in each graft as follows: 3 tantalum, 3 polyetherurethane, and 3 parylene. In swine whose platelets had been radiolabeled with indium 111, the ends of each stented graft were connected to 14F femoral and venous sheaths to create an ex vivo fistula. Each graft was exposed to blood for 30, 60, and 120 minutes. At the end of each test period, the stented grafts were disconnected from the sheaths, flushed with saline until clear, and then flushed with formalin. The stents were removed from the grafts, and a radionuclide well counter recorded radionuclide counts from each stent type at each period of blood contact. These values were converted to platelet density per 1000 mUm2. Stents were then photographed and scanned with electron microscopy (EM) for qualitative analysis. Possible significant differences in platelet adhesion with the three types of stents (both between stent groups and within stent groups) were examined using a two-tailed Student's f-test.

Results:

There were significantly fewer platelets adsorbed on PA versus T at all time periods (p < 0.005); on PL versus T at 60 and 120 minutes (p < 0.005); and on PA versus PL at 30 and 120 minutes (p < 0.0005). There was no significant difference in platelet density within each stent group (p = 0.1). Mean platelet density (number of platelets per 1000 mUm2 ± SD) was as follows: at 30 minutes: T = 1891 ± 965; PL = 373 ± 193; and PA = 27 ± 3; at 60 minutes: T = 6226 ± 1621; PL = 1573 ± 793; and PA = 1185 ± 710; at 120 minutes: T = 5307 ± 591; PL = 3164 ± 318; and PA = 180 ± 100. Gross inspection of the 120-minute groups demonstrated focal areas of thrombus on T, less on PL, and none on PA. Scanning EM demonstrated extensive platelet accumulation covering T at all time periods, less on PL, and even less on PA.

Conclusions:

Polymeric surface modification of tantalum stents with parylene and/or polyetherurethane can improve the acute thromboresistance of these devices; parylene appears to be the more thromboresistant of the two coatings.

Nanoscale architectural tuning of parylene patch devices to control therapeutic release rates

The advent of therapeutic functionalized implant coatings has significantly impacted the medical device field by enabling prolonged device functionality for enhanced patient treatment. Incorporation of drug release from a stable, biocompatible surface is instrumental in decreasing systemic application of toxic therapeutics and increasing the lifespan of implants by the incorporation of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. In this study, we have developed a parylene C-based device for controlled release of Doxorubicin, an anti-cancer chemotherapy and definitive read-out for preserved drug functionality, and further characterized the parylene deposition condition-dependent tunability of drug release. Drug release is controlled by the deposition of a layer of 20-200 nm thick parylene over the drug layer. This places a porous layer above the Doxorubicin, limiting drug elution based on drug accessibility to solvent and the solvent used. An increase in the thickness of the porous top layer prolongs the elution of active drug from the device from, in the conditions tested, the order of 10 min to the order of 2 d in water and from the order of 10 min to no elution in PBS. Thus, the controlled release of an anti-cancer therapeutic has been achieved via scalably fabricated, parylene C-encapsulated drug delivery devices.

Localized therapeutic release via an amine-functionalized poly-p-xylene microfilm device

Developing biocompatible polymeric platforms for drug delivery with enhanced localized activity represents a key facet of advanced interventional therapy. In this work, the drug-eluting potential of an amine-functionalized poly- p-xylene commonly known as Parylene A (4-amino(2,2)paracyclophane) was conducted with the microfilm device consisting of a primary base layer, drug film, and a secondary eluting layer presenting exposed amine groups which enhance the range of modifications that can be incorporated into the film. The murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 served as a cellular response to dexamethasone, a synthetic anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid and doxorubicin, an anticancer therapeutic. Decreased expression of NFkappa-B-mediated cytokines Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFalpha), resultant DNA fragmentation, and spectroscopic analysis revealed the efficient and localized drug-eluting properties of the Parylene A polymeric bilayer.

Cell and protein compatibility of parylene-C surfaces

Parylene-C, which is traditionally used to coat implantable devices, has emerged as a promising material to generate miniaturized devices due to its unique mechanical properties and inertness. In this paper we compared the surface properties and cell and protein compatibility of parylene-C relative to other commonly used BioMEMS materials. We evaluated the surface hydrophobicity and roughness of parylene-C and compared these results to those of tissue culture-treated polystyrene, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), and glass. We also treated parylene-C and PDMS with air plasma, and coated the surfaces with fibronectin to demonstrate that biochemical treatments modify the surface properties of parylene-C. Although plasma treatment caused both parylene-C and PDMS to become hydrophilic, only parylene-C substrates retained their hydrophilic properties over time. Furthermore, parylene-C substrates display a higher degree of nanoscale surface roughness (>20 nm) than the other substrates. We also examined the level of BSA and IgG protein adsorption on various surfaces and found that surface plasma treatment decreased the degree of protein adsorption on both PDMS and parylene-C substrates. After testing the degree of cell adhesion and spreading of two mammalian cell types, NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and AML-12 hepatocytes, we found that the adhesion of both cell types to surface-treated parylene-C variants were comparable to standard tissue culture substrates, such as polystyrene. Overall, these results indicate that parylene-C, along with its surface-treated variants, could potentially be a useful material for fabricating cell-based microdevices.

Fibroblast cell attachment and growth on nanoengineered sculptured thin films

Nanoengineered parylene-C sculptured thin films (STFs) are deposited on glass and silicon substrates using a direct one-step growth technique. The deposited STFs support fibroblast cell attachment and proliferation in vitro, which is an early indication of biocompatibility and bioactivity of this emerging class of biomaterials. Surface modification of endoprostheses of the small joints of the hand, which heal with fibrous stabilization, may be greatly enhanced by such nanoengineered biomaterials.

Biologic Response to Polymer-coated Stents: In Vitro Analysis and Results in an Iliac Artery Sheep Model

PURPOSE

To evaluate biologic response to poly(hydroxymethyl-p-xylylene-co-p-xylylene) (PHPX)-coated stents in vitro and in vivo in sheep.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Physical stability, hemocompatibility, and cytotoxicity of the coating were first assessed in vitro. Thirty-six self-expanding nitinol (Memotherm), 24 stainless steel balloon-mounted (Palmaz), and 12 self-expanding nitinol (ZA) stents were coated with PHPX by using chemical vapor deposition polymerization. Seventy-two coated and 72 uncoated stents were placed into iliac arteries of 36 sheep. Sheep were classified into three groups of 12 animals each. In each group, six sheep were killed after 1 month; six, after 6 months. In each sheep, two uncoated stents were placed into one limb; two coated stents of the same type, into the opposite limb. In groups 1 and 2, Palmaz and Memotherm stents were used; in group 3, Memotherm and ZA stents were used. In groups 1 and 3, arteries were healthy. In group 2, arteries were pretreated with a Fogarty maneuver. Stent patency was measured with intravascular ultrasonography (US) and histologic analysis. Cellular response to coated and uncoated stents was assessed. Measurements were compared (Wilcoxon test).

RESULTS

In vitro, PHPX coating was stable; hemocompatibility and cytotoxicity were similar to those of stainless steel. In vivo, patency of coated and uncoated Palmaz and ZA stents was not different (P >.05). Patency of coated and uncoated Memotherm stents did not differ in four of six follow-up subgroups, but it was significantly reduced in group 2 after 6 months (intravascular US, P =.03; histologic analysis, P =.01) and in group 3 after 1 month (histologic analysis, P =.01). Histologically, the cellular response to coated and uncoated stents was not different (P >.05).

CONCLUSION

PHPX coating had good physical stability and biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. Performance of coated and uncoated Palmaz and ZA stents was similar. Patency of Memotherm stents was similar in four of six follow-up subgroups. Materials effects did not result in severely enhanced neointimal hyperplasia.

Polymeric surface modifications of tantalum stents

PURPOSE

To compare two kinds of polymer-coated tantalum stents with bare tantalum stents (control) to determine if the coatings can improve thromboresistance.

METHODS

Twenty-seven Fontaine-Dake stents were balloon expanded in three 8-mm x 80-cm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts; 9 stents were bare tantalum (T); 9 were coated with polyetherurethane (PL); and 9 were coated with parylene (PA). There were 9 stents placed in each graft as follows: 3 tantalum, 3 polyetherurethane, and 3 parylene. In swine whose platelets had been radiolabeled with indium 111, the ends of each stented graft were connected to 14F femoral and venous sheaths to create an ex vivo fistula. Each graft was exposed to blood for 30, 60, and 120 minutes. At the end of each test period, the stented grafts were disconnected from the sheaths, flushed with saline until clear, and then flushed with formalin. The stents were removed from the grafts, and a radionuclide well counter recorded radionuclide counts from each stent type at each period of blood contact. These values were converted to platelet density per 1000 microns 2. Stents were then photographed and scanned with electron microscopy (EM) for qualitative analysis. Possible significant differences in platelet adhesion with the three types of stents (both between stent groups and within stent groups) were examined using a two-tailed Student's t-test.

RESULTS

There were significantly fewer platelets adsorbed on PA versus T at all time periods (p < 0.005); on PL versus T at 60 and 120 minutes (p < 0.005); and on PA versus PL at 30 and 120 minutes (p < 0.0005). There was no significant difference in platelet density within each stent group (p = 0.1). Mean platelet density (number of platelets per 1000 microns 2 +/- SD) was as follows: at 30 minutes: T = 1891 +/- 965; PL = 373 +/- 193; and PA = 27 +/- 3; at 60 minutes: T = 6226 +/- 1621; PL = 1573 +/- 793; and PA = 1185 +/- 710; at 120 minutes: T = 5307 +/- 591; PL = 3164 +/- 318; and PA = 180 +/- 100. Gross inspection of the 120-minute groups demonstrated focal areas of thrombus on T, less on PL, and none on PA. Scanning EM demonstrated extensive platelet accumulation covering T at all time periods, less on PL, and even less on PA.

A rapid in vitro test of the in vivo healing potential of vascular prostheses

An in vitro method for comparing the penetration of bovine fibroblasts seeded on the external surface of porous vascular prostheses was devised. The effects of water porosity reduction and differing manufacturing constructions (warp-knit Dacron, woven Dacron and polytetrafluoroethylene) on the ability of the bovine fibroblasts to penetrate transmurally was investigated. Of the warp-knit external-veloured Dacron prostheses, the highest porosity 140-denier prototype had the highest luminal surface cell count and the lowest porosty 280-denier prototype the lowest luminal surface cell count. The intermediate prototypes had values between these two extremes. The woven Dacron prostheses, which were of even lower porosity but with a much thinner wall, had cell counts midway between the 140-denier and the 280-denier prototypes. The microporous polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses did not allow fibroblast penetration despite adherence of cells to the outer surface. These findings agree with in vivo healing studies of the same materials in the descending thoracic aorta of the dog, demonstrating that this rapid in vitro assay method can help predict the healing potential of a vascular prosthesis.

Cultured rabbit vesical smooth muscle cells for lining of dissolvable synthetic prosthesis

For prosthetic use in genitourinary operations we investigated the feasibility of producing grafts from cultured smooth muscle cells on absorbable synthetic biomaterial. Biopsies of bladder wall muscle without mucosa were obtained from 20 rabbits for culture of smooth muscle cells; cultured cells were examined by light and electron microscopy. Those cells were grown in subculture on a microfiber mesh carrier woven from 35-denier polyglycolic acid fibers. As shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), complete coverage of the synthetic fabric was achieved after ten to fourteen days of subculture.