Copper Integrated PDA-TA Nanocoating via One-Step Rapid Polymerization on Titanium for Anti-Thrombotic and...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surface Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) face clinical limitations due to poor biocompatibility, leading to thromboembolism and infection.
• Current titanium surface modifications, including polydopamine-copper (PDA-Cu) coatings, have limitations in providing durable antithrombotic and antibacterial functions.
• There is a need for advanced surface engineering strategies to enhance the hemocompatibility of cardiovascular implants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid, one-step fabrication method for a copper-integrated polydopamine/tannic acid nanocoating on titanium (Ti/PDT(Cu)).
• To create a robust, dual-crosslinked nanocoating with synergistic antithrombotic and antibacterial properties.
• To evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, stability, and biological performance of the novel nanocoating for cardiovascular device applications.

Main Methods:

• A one-step co-polymerization strategy using mussel-inspired chemistry, dopamine, tannic acid, and copper ions to coat titanium surfaces.
• Physicochemical characterization including surface morphology, hydrophilicity, copper distribution, and long-term stability assessment.
• In vitro evaluation of antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, nitric oxide generation, platelet adhesion inhibition, hemolysis assay, and fibroblast cytocompatibility.

Main Results:

• The Ti/PDT(Cu) coating was fabricated rapidly (8 hours) with a stable, nanoscale-roughened structure, excellent hydrophilicity, and uniform copper distribution.
• The coating demonstrated significant, durable broad-spectrum antibacterial activity ( >89% efficacy after 7 days) and reduced bacterial adhesion.
• The nanocoating effectively inhibited platelet adhesion (69.4%) and exhibited an ultralow hemolysis ratio (0.97%), while maintaining excellent cytocompatibility (>90% cell viability).

Conclusions:

• The developed mussel-inspired nanocoating provides a facile and robust platform for enhancing the biocompatibility of titanium cardiovascular devices.
• The synergistic antithrombotic and antibacterial dual functions address critical limitations of current LVAD technologies.
• This surface engineering approach holds significant potential for the long-term clinical translation of implantable cardiovascular devices.