Researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham have developed a biocompatible nanomatrix for coating implantable devices like artificial valves and stents. The coating, which pretends to be endothelium, causes less scar tissue to form around it, as the body accepts it more as its own. The technology has been licensed to Endomimetics, a spin-off company of UAB.
From Endomimetics technology page:
The endomimetics first-generation coating is composed of natural amino-acids applied by a water-evaporation-based self assembly technique. Organic solvents and synthetic polymers are not involved. The coating promotes sustained nitric oxide release and natural re-endothelialization, and it inhibits thrombus formation.
Endomimetics continues with testing modifications of its first generation technology on vascular grafts, and preliminary results suggest the coating will significantly reduce the incidence of thrombosis in these implants.
Endomimetics anticipates further innovations with its coating technology for such applications as heart valves and tissue scaffolds for wound healing.
Press release: Novel UAB technology could extend life of medical implant devices…
Link: Endomimetics…
