Thesis
Biocompatibility assessment of a sol-gel modified electrospun ventricular shunt catheter
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2020
- Thesis identifier
- T15613
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201392985
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Hydrocephalus is a clinical condition that usually originates from a reduced passage of cerebrospinal fluid from one brain ventricle to another. The main procedure to treat this condition involves the insertion of a shunt catheter to bypass the blockage and allow the CSF to flow from the ventricles, thus avoiding a possible build-up of intracranial pressure. Such catheters, which are commonly made from medical grade silicone, are known to be affected by mechanical failures, infection and blockage owing to cerebral tissue infiltration and bacterial colonisation. To decrease cell adhesion and at the same time increase resistance to bacterial colonisation, medical grade polyurethane was modified with the addition of inorganic modifiers (titanium and zinc) via a solgel process. Both titanium and zinc were successfully incorporated into the polyurethane in an amorphous form, having a strong impact on the microstructure of the fibres, as the presence of the inorganic phase affects the degree of segregation of hard and soft segments typical of polyurethanes, and changes the diameter size and distribution of the fibres, with modified materials exhibiting a narrower diameter distribution. Titanium is well dispersed within the fibres, while zinc tends to segregate on the surface. All electrospun materials are effective at absorbing fluid quickly. The co-action of morphological factors and chemistry is effective in controlling cell adhesion and bacterial colonisation. Upon exposure to human immortalised astrocyte cultures, modified electrospun materials exhibit a significantly lower viability than the positive control, and a higher apoptotic rate than the negative control (PDMS). Preliminary results suggest that cell adhesion is lower for materials with smaller fibre diameters. Furthermore, results from bacterial colonisation studies show that nanostructured surfaces are effective in controlling and reducing Staphylococcus aureus colonisation (1 log₁₀ unit reduction), as compared to the standard silicone.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Black, Richard A.
- Resource Type
- Note
- Previously held under moratorium from 13th October 2020 until 13th October 2022.
- DOI
- Date Created
- 2020
- Former identifier
- 9912922492602996
Relations
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PDF of thesis T15613 | 2021-07-02 | Public | Download |