Prohealing Coatings
SurModics has developed a coating technology to improve blood vessel healing response to implantable devices, such as drug-eluting stents (DES), grafts, and closure devices. This coating technology contains extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins designed to improve and accelerate tissue healing of implantable medical devices through nature’s own healing mechanisms.
ECM proteins, such as collagen and laminin, stimulate the specific migration and proliferation of endothelial cells (cells that line blood vessels) to promote healing. By covalently attaching the appropriate ECM proteins to device surfaces utilizing the PhotoLink® coating process, this biomimetic surface can signal endothelial cells in the blood and vascular wall to form a stable endothelial lining over the implant.
The Finale™ Prohealing Coatings contain extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The Finale™ coatings have been developed in collaboration with Stuart Williams, Ph.D., of the Louisville-based Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, who is a leader in the development of novel cardiovascular implants using tissue engineering techniques. SurModics has optimized the coating formulations for coronary stents, and is developing next-generation ECM-based coatings for a variety of implantable medical devices. The potential uses for this prohealing platform in the field of implantable device technology are widespread.
Several animal studies have been completed. Enhanced endothelial cell coverage has been observed on Finale coated DES one-week post deployment in a rabbit model. Such rapid healing may eliminate the need for long-term use of anti-thrombotic drugs post-stent deployment. When implanted subcutaneously in rats, the Finale coating improves both angiogenic response and neovascularization of e-PTFE fabric relative to controls, as well as tissue adhesion to the fabric.
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