Continuous delivery of biomaterials to the skin-percutaneous device interface using a fluid pump

We have developed an in vitro culture system composed of organotypic human skin explants interfaced with titanium rods attached to a fluid pump. This device was designed to mimic the process of natural mucosa delivery at the point where a rigid, permanent object penetrates living skin. Full thickness human breast skin explants discarded from surgeries were cultured at different time points at the air-liquid interface. The skin specimens were punctured to fit at the bottom of hollow cylindrical titanium rods. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) was delivered continuously to the specimens through the rods by using an attached fluid pump. Histological analysis of the skin explants as well as no-pump controls was then performed. Our results show substantial differences between controls, where no material was pumped at the interface of rod-skin, and specimens treated with SLS, indicating that the technique of pumping the material is effective in producing observable epithelial changes. These results suggest that an adaptation of this type of device may be useful for the treatment of complications arising from the contact between tissues and percutaneous devices in vivo.