Surface modifications for inflow cannulas of ventricular assist devices – comparison of latest solutions

Nowadays, the Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) within the Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) appears to be a reliable and effective solution for patients with advanced heart failure (HF). After many years of work, extracorporeal pulsatile VADs have been replaced by new generations of implantable continuous flow (CF) pumps. Clinical experience has shown that present-day pump constructions still need to be improved to minimize the risk of complications during heart assistance. One of the complications is the pump inflow obstruction caused by the ingrowth of tissue into the blood inflow path and pump thrombosis. The main goal is to develop a coating for the external surface of the inflow cannula to provide controlled tissue ingrowth. The smooth surface of the cannula external wall results in the tissue overgrowth into the pump inflow orifice, and may be a source of emboli. The paper presents external surface modifications of the inflow cannula performed by different VAD manufacturers within the topography characterization. The inflow cannulas used in CF VADs are mainly made of titanium alloy due to its mechanical properties and high biocompatibility. In general, the discussed surface coatings were characterized by the roughness of about ≈ Ra = 15 μm, high porosity and good wettability Φ ≈ 60°. The surface was covered with titanium microspheres or titanium mesh. The developed surfaces and clinical experience confirm the ability to control the tissue ingrowth along the external surfaces of the inflow cannula at the tissue-implant interface

3D bioprinting handheld tool concept for innovative osteoarthritis treatment with stem cells utilization

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic disease involving progressive damage and cartilage, remodelling of subchondral bone, osteo formation, weakening of periarticular muscles thickening of the joint capsule1. Over the next dec the number of people affected by OA is expecte double due to population ageing and increased ra obesity. Novel nanocomposite responsive mat combined with adipose tissue-derived stem cells (A and a remotely controllable ultrasound (US) treatme developed within the H2020 project. Materials and will be delivered in situ through an innovative han 3D bioprinter, introduced to the operating area dur arthroscopic treatment through available port

In Vivo Biocompatibility of an Innovative Elastomer for Heart Assist Devices

Cardiac surgical approaches require the development of new materials regardless of the polyurethanes used for pulsatile blood pumps; therefore, an innovative biomaterial, a copolymer of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and dimer fatty acid (dilinoleic acid) modified with D-glucitol, hereafter referred to as PET/DLA, has been developed, showing non-hemolytic and atrombogenic properties and resistance to biodegradation. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vivo inflammatory responses to intramuscular implantation of PET/DLA biomaterials of different compositions (hard to soft segments). Two copolymers containing 70 and 65 wt.% of hard segments, as in poly(ethylene terephthalate) and dilinoleic acid in soft segments modified with D-glucitol, were used for implantation tests to monitor tissue response. Medical grade polyurethanes Bionate II 90A and Bionate II 55 were used as reference materials. After euthanasia of animals (New Zealand White rabbits, n = 49), internal organs and tissues that contacted the material were collected for histopathological examination. The following parameters were determined: peripheral blood count, blood smear with May Grunwald–Giemsa staining, and serum C-reactive protein (CRPP). The healing process observed at the implantation site of the new materials after 12 weeks indicated normal progressive collagenization of the scar, with an indication of the inflammatory–resorptive process. The analysis of the chemical structure of explants 12 weeks after implantation showed good stability of the tested copolymers in contact with living tissues. Overall, the obtained results indicate great potential for PET/DLA in medical applications; however, final verification of its applicability as a structural material in prostheses is needed