[Ion-beam irradiated ePTFE for the therapy of intracranial aneurysms]

Intracranial aneurysms are frequently treated with either microsurgical clipping or endovascular coiling. However, as so called broad-neck aneurysms are not suitable for these treatment options, a wrapping technique using muslin gauze, muscle piece, ePTFE is applied for such cases. The material for aneurysmal wrapping demands both stable adherence and no reactive inflammatory response such as inert artificial wall. Authors have developed a new improved ePTFE by ion-beam irradiation technique that is biologically inert and able to adhere firmly to surrounding tissue. Based on the last studies, Ar+ ion at an energy of 150 keV with a fluence of 5 x 10(14) ions/cm2 was chosen to irradiate ePTFE. A cell adhesion test and direct implantation of ion-beam irradiated ePTFE as wrapping material to rabbit common carotid arteries (CCA) were examined. It was demonstrated that the surface of ion-beam irradiated ePTFE exhibits remarkably greater adhesion and promotes cell proliferation on the surface more effectively than that of non-irradiated ePTFE. The carotid artery well-wrapped by ion-beam irradiated ePTFE strongly adhered to the mural wall and induced little inflammatory reaction. The results of this investigation indicate that application of this technology would offer the best means for aneurysm wrapping.