Development of small-diameter vascular prostheses which release bioactive agents.
A porous, distensible, tubular membrane which incorporates albumin and basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), and is potentially utilizable as a bioactive small-diameter vascular prosthesis, was fabricated by a combined spraying, phase-inversion technique using a suspension of albumin and bFGF into a polyetherurethane-urea (Biomer) solution in dimethylacetamide (DMA). Scanning electron microscopy showed a material with an open-cell trabecular structure and small particles of albumin and/or bFGF entrapped in the bulk of the polyurethane trabeculae.  The material released albumin and bFGF at an approximately constant rate for at least 2 weeks.  The bFGF initially incorporated in the polymer remained biologically active as shown by in-vitro proliferation of human endothelial cells.
Artificial Organ Laboratory, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912.
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Soldani
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M
Steiner
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PM
Galletti
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Lelli
M
M
Palla
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P
Giusti
D000418:Albumins / Q000737:chemistry; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002455:Cell Division; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry; D011474:Prosthesis Design