The in vivo auto-oxidation of polyether polyurethane by metal ions

The first large scale use of polyether polyurethane elastomers in long term human implants was as insulation for cardiac and neurologic pacing leads. While the performance of these polymers has generally been very good over a 14-year period, several failure mechanisms have been discovered that involve interactions between the devices, materials and the body. One of these is auto-oxidation of soft segment ether through the intermediate action of certain transition metal ions, derived from conductor wires by corrosion processes. Biologically produced oxidants appear to be an accelerating factor. In this study, Pellethane 2363-80A tubing containing conductor coils or mandrels of various metals or controls were implanted in rabbits. Explants were analyzed as a function of implant time by optical and scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive analysis by X-ray, stress-strain, FTIR, GPC and AA spectrophotometry. Only cobalt produced bulk oxidative degradation while surface damage was found in the presence of cobalt bearing alloys. No evidence of significant auto-oxidation was found in the presence of silver, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, iron, titanium, platinum, 304 stainless steel, glass or empty tubing. The combination of polyether polyurethane and metals (especially those containing cobalt) in an implantable device must be carefully evaluated for biostability prior to human use.