A novel textured surface for blood-contact

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Vascular Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Thromboembolic complications are a major concern with blood-contacting medical devices.
• Surface texturing is explored to improve biocompatibility and reduce adverse events.
• Promoting stable pseudo-neointima formation is a key strategy for vascular graft success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of micro-fibre textured polyurethane vascular patches in promoting pseudo-neointima formation.
• To compare the healing response of textured versus non-textured vascular patches in a sheep carotid artery model.
• To assess the impact of surface texturing on thrombus organization and cellular infiltration.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of polyurethane vascular patches with and without micro-fibre textured luminal surfaces.
• Bilateral implantation of patches into ovine carotid arteries for 1- and 3-week periods (n=6 per group).
• Macroscopic and histological assessment of patch patency, thrombus formation, and cellular infiltration.

Main Results:

• Textured patches promoted rapid thrombus organization into pseudo-neointima by 3 weeks, with only one occlusion in the 1-week group.
• Non-textured patches showed less organized thrombus and significant luminal thrombus in 4 of 6 cases at 3 weeks.
• Cellular migration from the artery onto the patch surface was observed on both types of patches by 3 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Micro-fibre textured surfaces accelerate the formation of a stable pseudo-neointima on vascular patches.
• The textured surface acts as a scaffold, facilitating faster cellular migration and tissue healing.
• This surface modification strategy holds promise for reducing thromboembolic complications in vascular applications.