Globefish-Inspired Balloon Catheter with Intelligent Microneedle Coating for Endovascular Drug Delivery

Balloon catheters exhibit important values in treating cardiovascular diseases, while their functions are still under improvements. Here, inspired by the thorn-hiding and deflating-inflating characteristics of globefish, intelligent balloon catheters decorated with invisible microneedles are presented for endovascular drug delivery to inhibit postintervention restenosis (PIRS). These microneedle balloon catheters (MNBCs) fabricated by dipping and rolling-assisted template replication contain three coating layers of sandwiched drug-carrying microneedles and black phosphorus (BP)-carrying gelatin. During the emplacement, the microneedles of MNBCs are hidden under the outermost gelatin protective layer, allowing smooth movements inside the blood vessel. After reaching the destination, the embedded BP converts near infrared (NIR) into heat, increases local temperature, and melts the gelatin layer, enabling the exposure and vascular penetration of the microneedles. Besides, as the innermost gelatin also melts, the microneedles can detach from the balloon catheter and be left inside the blood vessel for continuous drug release. Based on advantages of responsiveness, penetration capacity, and biosafety, it is demonstrated that the MNBCs behave satisfactorily in delivering rapamycin to inhibit abdominal aorta restenosis in rats. All these features indicate that these MNBCs are promising medical devices for clinical applications.