Harvard Researchers Create Self-Regenerating Coating For Implantable Devices
Biomedical scientists from Harvard have devised a novel method to regenerate bioactive molecules in surface coatings of implantable medical devices, offering the potential to extend the coatings’ efficacy for longer periods of time.
Implants such as stents, heart valves, vascular grafts, and access catheters usually have antimicrobial and antithrombogenic coatings to prevent infections, biofilms, clots, and the biodegradation of implant material. However, the protective layer has a finite reservoir of bioactive agents, which will exhaust itself over time as it comes into direct contact with blood and other body fluids. This could lead to device failure and the need to replace the implant.
Implants such as stents, heart valves, vascular grafts, and access catheters usually have antimicrobial and antithrombogenic coatings to prevent infections, biofilms, clots, and the biodegradation of implant material. However, the protective layer has a finite reservoir of bioactive agents, which will exhaust itself over time as it comes into direct contact with blood and other body fluids. This could lead to device failure and the need to replace the implant.