Russian scientists from the National Research University of Electronic Technology (MIET) have achieved a significant breakthrough in the development of medical implants. They have created innovative composite coatings, composed of collagen and carbon nanotubes, specifically designed for devices that come into direct contact with blood. This advancement, reported by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, aims to address a critical issue in cardiovascular diseases, which remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
While life-saving, existing implants often trigger an adverse reaction in the body: blood perceives them as foreign objects, potentially leading to severe complications and even fatal outcomes. Scientists at MIET have successfully tackled this challenge.
Kristina Popovich, one of the developers, explained that the new coatings mimic the natural properties of vascular endothelium. This characteristic significantly reduces protein adsorption and prevents excessive platelet activation, thereby minimizing the risk of blood clot formation. A crucial aspect of this research is not only the development of the materials themselves but also an advanced testing methodology. For this purpose, a microfluidic chip was engineered, capable of replicating real blood flow conditions, ensuring high accuracy in testing.
Alexander Gerasimenko, Deputy Director for Scientific Work at MIET`s Institute of Biomedical Systems, emphasized that this new testing method allows for the evaluation of coating materials under conditions closely mirroring the body`s natural environment, specifically under continuous fluid flow with precisely controlled parameters. He also highlighted that the unique approach to forming these composite materials enables their application in implantable electronic interfaces, which can effectively transmit electrical charges to stimulate regenerative processes within the body.
