In vitro and in vivo calcification of Nafion membrane used for implantable biosensors

Author

Moussy, Francis ; Mercado, Rachel C.

Author_Institution

Center for Biomater., Connecticut Univ. Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA

Volume

6

fYear

1997

fDate

30 Oct-2 Nov 1997

Firstpage

2592

Abstract

The effect of the biological environment on the perfluorosulfonated ionomer Nafion membrane was investigated. The surface topography and surface composition of thermally annealed Nafion membranes were assessed for up to 4 weeks under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Nafion membranes kept in culture medium or implanted subcutaneously in rats showed extensive cracking. An analysis of surface composition and a fluorescent dye for Ca²⁺ showed an important deposit of calcium phosphates in the membrane. This deposit caused the membranes to crack. This study indicated that Nafion may not be a suitable material for implantable biosensors unless it is modified to prevent mineralization

Keywords

biosensors; calcium; membranes; surface composition; surface topography; 4 w; Ca; Ca²⁺; Nafion membrane; biological environment effect; implantable biosensors; in vitro calcification; in vivo calcification; mineralization prevention; perfluorosulfonated ionomer; subcutaneous implantation; Annealing; Biological materials; Biomembranes; Calcium; Fluorescence; In vitro; In vivo; Rats; Surface cracks; Surface topography;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1997. Proceedings of the 19th Annual International Conference of the IEEE

Conference_Location

Chicago, IL

ISSN

1094-687X

Print_ISBN

0-7803-4262-3

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IEMBS.1997.756863

Filename

756863