Biocompatibility properties of surface-modified poly(dimethylsiloxane) for urinary applications

J Biomater Appl. 2013 Feb;27(6):651-60. doi: 10.1177/0885328211422119. Epub 2012 Jan 24.

Abstract

An electronic sensor system for urinary bladder pressure monitoring requires an imbedding into a biocompatible, flexible, and liquid-impermeable material. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was selected in the present set-up as packaging material because it fulfills the abovementioned requirements. However, the surface of PDMS is hydrophobic and causes undesired interactions with salts, proteins, and cells present in urine. To reduce possible interactions of urine salts in the urinary bladder, monomers, [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-dimethyl-3-sulfopropyl-ammonium hydroxide (sulfobetaine) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropyl sulfonic acid, were grafted onto the surface through oxygen plasma treatment. A reduction in salt deposition between the pure PDMS and the modified PDMS was observed both in vitro (artificial urine flow over the surface) and in vivo (implants into the urinary bladder of experimental pigs). Additionally, a 10-fold reduction in salt deposition was observed in vitro due to grafting of the monomers onto the surface. These modified PDMS materials proved also to be biocompatible in cell cultures, which was further confirmed by histological screening of the bladder tissue after implantation in an in vivo pig model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chick Embryo
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Manometry / instrumentation
  • Materials Testing
  • Prostheses and Implants*
  • Salts / chemistry
  • Salts / urine
  • Surface Properties
  • Sus scrofa
  • Urinary Bladder / pathology
  • Urinary Bladder / physiology*
  • Urinary Bladder / surgery*
  • Urine / chemistry

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Salts
  • baysilon