Biomimetic Connection of Transcutaneous Implants with Skin

Abstract

Bacterial infection is a crucial complication in implant restoration, in particular in permanent skin‐penetrating implants. Therein, the resulting gap between transcutaneous implant and skin represents a permanent infection risk, limiting the field of application and the duration of application. To overcome this limitation, a tight physiological connection is required to achieve a biological and mechanical welding for a long‐term stable closure including self‐healing probabilities. This study describes a new approach, wherein the implant is connected covalently to a highly porous electrospun fleece featuring physiological dermal integration potential. The integrative potential of the scaffold is shown in vitro and confirmed in vivo, further demonstrating tissue integration by neovascularization, extracellular matrix formation, and prevention of encapsulation. To achieve a covalent connection between fleece and implant surface, self‐initiated photografting and photopolymerization of hydroxyethylmethacrylate is combined with a new crosslinker (methacrylic acid coordinated titanium‐oxo clusters) on proton‐abstractable implant surfaces. For implant modification, the attached fleece is directed perpendicular from the implant surface into the surrounding dermal tissue. First in vitro skin implantations demonstrate the implants' dermal integration capability as well as wound closure potential on top of the fleece by epithelialization, establishing a bacteria‐proof and self‐healing connection of skin and transcutaneous implant.

A rechargeable coating with temporal-sequence antibacterial activity and soft tissue sealing

“…As transcutaneous implants, such as dental implants and external fixators, are increasingly utilized in medical treatments, bacterial infection at the soft tissue-implant interface poses a significant concern [ [1] , [2] , [3] ]. Transcutaneous implants penetrate through the intact skin or mucosa, leading to the exposure of the interior of the human body to foreign substances [ 4 ]. The gap between artificial materials and the skin or mucosa disrupts the skin's natural barrier against pathogenic factors [ 5 ].…”