Development of topical BAPN delivery system for acute spinal cord injury in dogs

Topical sustained release of various medications by a subdurally implantable device at the site of spinal cord injury is considered advantageous in the treatment of early symptoms of tissue damage. A typical case is the interference with collagenous scar by beta-aminopropionitrile, inhibiting collagen polymerization. Four materials, silicone, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polyacrylonitrile-based hydrogel were evaluated for biocompatibility in subcutaneous implantations. The hydrogel, the least reactive, was then compared with silicone sheets as subcural implants. The histology favored the hydrogel as the most inert material, which was then used for the construction of soft, pliable pouches, releasing the drug through the hydrated wall at a rate controlled by an osmotic pump.