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Polymer-coated cannulas for the reduction of backflow during intraparenchymal infusions

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Abstract

Infusate backflow or leak-back along the cannula track can occur during intraparenchymal infusions resulting in non-specific targeting of therapeutic agents. The occurrence of backflow depends on several variables including cannula radius, infusate flow rate, and tip location. In this study, polymer coatings that swell in situ were developed and tested with in vitro hydrogel experiments for backflow reduction. Coatings were applied to the external cannula surface in a dual layer arrangement with a poly(vinyl alcohol) outer layer atop an inner poly(ethylene oxide) and alginate layer. Once these coated cannulas were inserted and allotted an 8–10 min waiting period for hydration, backflow during infusions of 4.0 μl of a macromolecular tracer (Evans Blue labeled albumin) was reduced significantly under flow rates of 0.3–0.6 μl/min, allowing for more effective distribution within targeted regions. Polymer coating thicknesses before and after hydrations were 0.035 and 0.370 mm, respectively. Also, backflow data was fit to a model to estimate the effective local compressive stress caused by the hydrated polymers. After withdrawal of the cannula from the insertion site, the hydrated polymer coatings remained within the cavity left in the hydrogel tissue phantom and formed a seal at the infusion site that prevented further backflow during needle withdrawal. Ex vivo infusions in excised porcine brain tissues also showed significant backflow reduction while also demonstrating the ability to leave a polymer seal in the tissue cavity after cannula removal. Thus, application of these polymers as needle or cannula coatings offers a potentially simple method to improve targeting for local drug delivery.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Ronja Månsson for her preliminary work on this project as well as Gregory Pishko and Benjamin Oberstein for their assistance in the construction of the current experimental infusion setup. The project described was supported by award number R01NS063360 from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute Neurological Disorders and Stroke or the National Institutes of Health. This work was also supported in part by NIH/NCRR CTSA award to the University of Florida UL1 RR029890, as well as the University Scholars Program, University of Florida.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Louis C. Vazquez

  2. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, 212 MAE-A, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Erik Hagel, Wei Dai, Fernando Casanova & Malisa Sarntinoranont

  3. Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

    Bradley J. Willenberg & Christopher D. Batich

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  1. Louis C. Vazquez
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  2. Erik Hagel
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  7. Malisa Sarntinoranont
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Correspondence to Malisa Sarntinoranont.

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Vazquez, L.C., Hagel, E., Willenberg, B.J. et al. Polymer-coated cannulas for the reduction of backflow during intraparenchymal infusions. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 23, 2037–2046 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4652-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4652-0

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