Biomaterials, medical devices, and artificial organs最新文献

The kinetics of interaction of solid substrates with mononuclear cells is a little explored by important feature in the evaluation of potential prosthetic materials. Monocyte production of chemiluminescence in a luminol-enhanced system was used to explore such kinetics. A theoretical model of cell/surface interaction is developed and alternatives in the evaluation of data generated by chemiluminescent curves are presented. The interactions of monocytes with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface were similar to those seen in studies on phagocytosis and were dependent on an absorbed serum protein layer. This study illustrates the use of a simple laboratory test for monocyte oxidative function in assessing the potential inflammatory effects of various prosthetic materials.

Seven Vasculour d grafts, five Gore-Tex grafts and seven Solco-graft, 8 mm by 30 cm, implanted as thoraco-abdominal bypasses in dogs. Sixteen were retrieve at two months. Graft size was assessed angiographically in representative dogs of each group prior to sacrifice. Initial examination of the retrieved specimens revealed pannus extensions at both anastomoses on all graft types, and a variable midgraft appearance from smooth and glistening to partially thrombus coated. Histological assessment of graft segments revealed widely differing healing responses on the three graft types. Tissue attachment to both graft surfaces and varying degrees of tissue incorporation were observed in the Vasculour D and Gore-Tex prostheses. The Solco-graft specimens showed no evidence of tissue incorporation of the wall at two months. Tissue on the graft surfaces remains loosely attached and unincorporated. Pannus extensions were thickest on the Solco-graft. Variably thin fibrin is scattered over the luminal surface of the three graft types. Vascularization of the wall particularly the internal capsulae was noted in the Vasculour D grafts. Although biological responses in the dog are difficult to extrapolate to man, the types of comparison testing allowed by the use of the thoraco-abdominal by-pass procedure can provide valuable information of degree of dilation, relative tissue attachment, tissue incorporation into various types of prostheses and kidney infarcts study. The greatest value of the thoraco-abdominal by-pass lies in graft sizes and length without special regard for patency: assessment of graft size post-implantation and structural changes is then made possible.

The elimination of the cardioactive steroid, digoxin, from human serum by a range of adsorbent phases has been investigated. In the native state, the uncharged resins of the Amberlite XAD-type proved more effective than the ion-exchange resins, Dowex 1X, or active charcoal. Of the materials tested, Amberlite XAD-8 is by far the best suited resin for haemoperfusion in cases of digoxin overdose, whereby the less efficient XAD-4 is more commonly employed at present in clinics. In order to improve the haemocompatibility of the adsorbent materials, the technique of encapsulation into large agarose beads has been employed. In contrast to the effects observed with many other classes of xenobiotics, encapsulation into agarose beads results in a considerable loss of adsorptive capacity of digoxin by Amberlite XAD-8. The poor performance of active charcoal in form of granules can be improved by an order-of-magnitude using charcoal powder encapsulated in agarose. Thus, the latter material, or uncoated XAD-8 resin should be considered as a better alternative to materials in current use for extracorporeal detoxification in cases of digoxin overdose.

The polypentapeptide, H-(L . Val1-L . Pro2-Gly3-L . Val4-Gly5)n-L . Val-OMe, which is the most common recurring sequence within the elastic fiber, is demonstrated to be elastomeric when irradiation cross-linked but to have limited strength. On irradiation compounding with a collagen analogue, such as Dacron, stress-strain studies show the product to have an elastic modulus greater than that of fibrous aortic elastin and similar to that of aortic wall. In addition, the compounded product has the requisite strength. Of the 40, 50 and 60 MRAD cross-linked polypentapeptide-Dacron products, those derived from the larger doses of 50 and 60 MRAD exhibited somewhat better elastomeric properties. The unstretched and stretched products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy which demonstrated the importance of a fabric weave with a uniform extension. In general irradiation cross-linking has the advantage of being able to produce larger quantities of elastomeric material and compounding to a collagen analogue provides the required strength.

Ski injuries were studied over a six-year period at a ski area in Northern Vermont. While the injury was being treated we gathered injury, anthropometric and ability data. The binding was tested using ASTM techniques. We found all injuries to decrease but there was a bigger reduction in lower leg injuries. There was a marked decrease of the mean release torque towards the ASTM recommendations of the lower extremity group, which was attributed to be the reason for the decrease in injury rate. The medial collateral ligament injury continues to be the most prevalent of the lower extremity injuries. Injury mechanisms of this injury were explored. More work to understand how to protect the knee needs to be done.

Polymercaptal microspheres of average size 0.8 mu were synthesized. They have very high affinity towards mercury compounds and do not interact with alkali or alkali earth metallic compounds, they can also easily bind mercury compounds which were already bound to albumin or cysteine. Polymercaptal spheres were encapsulated by agarose--a blood compatible polymer. The encapsulated spheres were used successfully by means of plasma perfusion for detoxification of organic and inorganic mercury compounds from poisoned plasma.

The patency of 50 cm long, 1.7 mm ID heparin-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated SBS arterio-venous shunts in pigs at shear rates greater than 1000 s-1 was found to be not different from that of identical shunts coated with PVA but without heparin. This was attributed to the absence of any measureable effect of surface bound heparin on platelet related thrombus formation at high shear rates. On the other hand, platelet adhesion values determined in the absence of flow by the open static method decreased with increasing heparin content in heparin-PVA films. The low overall patency (average life of 170 minutes) of the PVA coated SBS shunts (with and without heparin) was presumed to be related to the absence of circulating heparin during surgery and the consequent presence of tissue thromboplastin or cellular debris during the immediate postoperative period. Alternative protocols are needed to test heparinized materials at low shear rates in the absence of systemic heparin to properly assess the potential thrombo-resistance of such materials.

A new catheter for central venous total parenteral nutrition has a blunt occluded distal end and a longitudinally oriented slit one centimeter proximal. Studies in rats show that this slit-valve prevents both reflux of blood and intracatheter thrombosis. This may be a factor in reducing sepsis associated with central venous total parenteral nutrition.