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PTFE Stent Membrane Based on the Electrospinning Technique and Its Potential for Replacing ePTFE
Haojie Wang1, Rong Xu1, Shuangyan She2
1National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, No. 199 Ren'ai Road, Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, PR China.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|November 27, 2024
Summary
Electrospun polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes offer a cell-friendly, ECM-like structure for vascular stents. Modified PTFE shows improved mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and anticoagulant properties, matching commercial ePTFE grafts.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is a common vascular stent material but has a non-fibrous structure unfavorable for cell interaction.
- Current ePTFE production is energy-intensive and uses hazardous lubricants.
- There is a need for improved vascular stent materials with enhanced biocompatibility and mechanical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize electrospun polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular stent membranes.
- To improve the anticoagulant properties and cell-friendliness of PTFE vascular stents.
- To evaluate the biocompatibility and in vivo performance of the novel PTFE vascular stents.
Main Methods:
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular stent membranes were prepared using electrospinning.
- Membranes underwent plasma treatment, followed by dopamine and heparin grafting for anticoagulant properties.
- Morphology, mechanical strength, porosity, blood compatibility, cytotoxicity, and in vivo subcutaneous implantation were assessed.
Main Results:
- Electrospun PTFE membranes exhibited extracellular matrix-like submicrometer to nanoscale fiber structures.
- High axial (8.12 MPa) and circumferential (6.10 MPa) tensile strengths were achieved, with significant elongation at break.
- The modified membranes demonstrated suitable hemolysis rates, superior anticoagulant properties, and facilitated endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation.
- In vivo histological analysis showed comparable results to commercially available ePTFE grafts.
Conclusions:
- Electrospun PTFE membranes offer a promising alternative to ePTFE for vascular stents due to their favorable structure and mechanical properties.
- Dopamine and heparin modifications significantly enhance the anticoagulant and cell-interactive properties of PTFE vascular stents.
- The developed electrospun PTFE vascular stents demonstrate excellent biocompatibility and performance, comparable to current clinical standards.
