Multilayering as a solution to medical device failure

There are three main problems associated with medical device implants: biofilm, wear and corrosion, and bio rejection. A potential solution to these problems is multilayering. Polyelectrolyte multilayered films composed of polyallylamine hydrochloride and poly(4-vinylphenol) have been demonstrated to inhibit Staphylococcus epidermidis growth. Another study examined the wear behavior of polyelectrolyte multilayer coated orthopedic surfaces composed of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and found coated systems resulted in 33 % less wear than uncoated systems. Additionally, a heparin/collagen anti-CD34 antibody ((HEP/COL)₅-CD34) multilayer system provided accelerated adhesion of endothelial cells with a significant number of endothelial cells attaching in the first 5 min. This allowed for re-endothelialization to occur possibly reducing cardiac stent bio rejection. This review explores various ways multilayering has been utilized to prolong medical device use and decrease the number of complications associated with them.