Researchers at MIT have developed a way to prevent the buildup of scar tissue, known as fibrosis, around medical devices implanted in the body. Fibrosis can impair the function of these devices and may require their removal. The researchers have created a hydrogel adhesive that binds the devices to tissue, preventing the immune response that leads to fibrosis. This approach could be used for a variety of medical devices, including pacemakers, sensors, and drug delivery systems.
The adhesive used in this study is made from cross-linked polymers called hydrogels, and it is similar to a surgical tape developed by the researchers to seal internal wounds. This adhesive prevents fibrosis by creating a physical barrier between the device and the immune system. Animal studies have shown that devices coated with the adhesive did not develop scar tissue when implanted in various organs for up to three months. This approach could provide a long-term solution for preventing fibrosis around medical implants.
The researchers used bulk RNA sequencing and fluorescent imaging to analyze the immune response in animals implanted with adhesive-coated devices. They found that while there was an initial inflammatory response, it quickly subsided, preventing the formation of scar tissue. This suggests that the mechanical interaction between the adhesive and the tissue plays a crucial role in preventing fibrosis. Further research will be needed to understand how these mechanical cues affect the immune response.
In addition to the hydrogel adhesive used in this study, the researchers also tested another adhesive containing chitosan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, which also eliminated fibrosis in animal studies. However, commercially available tissue adhesives did not have the same antifibrotic effect, as they detached from the tissue over time. These findings highlight the importance of the mechanical properties of the adhesive in preventing fibrosis around medical devices.
The researchers are now exploring the potential applications of their adhesive technology, including coatings for epicardial pacemakers. The wires that contact the heart often become fibrotic, but when coated with the adhesive, they remained functional for at least three months in animal studies. The researchers have also founded a company called SanaHeal to further develop tissue adhesives for medical applications. By creating a barrier between medical devices and the immune system, this technology could revolutionize the field of implantable devices.
The study, which will be published in Nature, was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The researchers hope that their findings will open up new possibilities for implantable devices, drug depots, and cell depots that require long-term compatibility with the body. By addressing the issue of fibrosis, this technology could improve the performance and longevity of medical devices, leading to better outcomes for patients with implanted devices.