Instant and secure fixation of e-PTFE medical implants in surgery by designing a bioadhesive interface.

Abstract

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) is extensively used in medical implants for its excellent bioinertness. Existing methods to fix e-PTFE implants on host tissues mainly use invasive anchorage such as sutures, spiral tacks, or metal skeletons, which has limitations such as being time-consuming and causing leakage and tissue damage. To overcome these limitations, we introduce a bioadhesive interface to realize the adhering fixation of e-PTFE implants. We integrate a hydrophilic and bioadhesive hydrogel layer on the hydrophobic and bioinert e-PTFE by designing a facile approach of freezing-induced micromechanical interlocking. The integration is robust enough as pulling hydrogel out of the interlocked pores on e-PTFE requires large energy dissipation. This bioadhesive interface enables instant (operating time < 10 seconds) and secure (adhesion energy >200 joules per square meter) adhering fixation of e-PTFE implants to wet tissue. The advantages for reducing inflammatory response, fibrogenesis, and the resultant postoperative adhesion are further demonstrated in a reconstructive surgery of an abdominal wall defect in rabbits.