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Updated: Feb 27, 2026
Tools for Surface Treatment of Silicon Planar Intracortical Microelectrodes
Published on: June 8, 2022
A polydopamine peptide coating enables adipose-derived stem cell growth on the silicone surface of cochlear implant
Philipp Schendzielorz1, Kristen Rak1, Katrin Radeloff1
1Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Hearing Center, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 11, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany.
Abstract:
The simultaneous application of neurotrophic factors with cochlear implantation is proposed to enhance the bioelectrical interface between electrodes and auditory neurons, and thus improve speech intelligibility in patients with cochlear implants (CIs). In cell-based approaches, the goal is to colonize CIs with cells producing neurotrophic factors. This study aims to evaluate whether a polydopamine (PD) functionalization of the hydrophobic silicone surface of the electrode carrier enables colonization of adipose-derived stem cells known to deliver neurotrophic factors. Surface characteristics of PD-coated silicone samples and electrode carriers were determined, and the proliferation and viability of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) on these surfaces were subsequently analyzed. A homogenous PD coating and cell growth with regular morphology was observed on coated silicone samples and electrode arrays. Hydrophilicity and cell viability was significantly enhanced by PD surface modification. Insertion forces of coated electrode arrays did not increase compared with untreated CIs. Hence, PD coating of the silicone surface of CIs might allow for sufficient colonization with ASCs as a continuous source of neurotrophic factors. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomater Res Part A: 106B: 1431-1438, 2018.
