Design and Testing of a Bending‐Resistant Transparent Nanocoating for Optoacoustic Cochlear Implants

Abstract

A nanosized coating was designed to reduce fouling on the surface of a new type of cochlear implant relying on optoacoustic stimulation. This kind of device imposes novel design principles for antifouling coatings, such as optical transparency and resistance to significant constant bending. To reach this goal we deposited on poly(dimethylsiloxane) a PEO‐based layer with negligible thickness compared to the curvature radius of the cochlea. Its antifouling performance was monitored upon storage by quartz crystal microbalance, and its resistance upon bending was tested by fluorescence microscopy under geometrical constraints similar to those of implantation. The coating displayed excellent antifouling features and good stability, and proved suitable for further testing in real‐environment conditions.

Biomaterials as a new option for treating sensorineural hearing loss

“…5C). 157 Even after being stored in a physiological saline solution for two months, the coating effectively suppressed the adhesion of bovine serum albumin and fibrinogen, reducing the occurrence of fibrosis in the cochlea. Additionally, the coating demonstrated strong anti-fouling capabilities, inhibiting the proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the electrode surface.…”

Biodegradable Polymeric Micro/Nano-Structures with Intrinsic Antifouling/Antimicrobial Properties: Relevance in Damaged Skin and Other Biomedical Applications

“…The aim is avoiding the infections and the consecutive extrusion of the implanted devices, which is a frequent event due to frequent otitis affecting these patients. Preliminary testing of a thin antifouling coating for a new type of cochlear implant have been evaluated [140]. Similar materials could be utilised for middle ear implants such as bone-anchored hearing aids.…”