z-logo
Premium
Fibrous encapsulation of single polymer microfibers depends on their vertical dimension in subcutaneous tissue
Author(s) -
Sanders J. E.,
Rochefort J. R.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.20027
Subject(s) - microfiber , materials science , implant , capsule , biomedical engineering , composite material , surgery , medicine , botany , biology
The purpose of this research was to investigate possible explanations for why small‐diameter microfiber implants do not experience encapsulation in subcutaneous tissue as do large‐diameter fiber implants. Single polypropylene microfibers of approximately rectangular cross‐section with rounded edges were twisted about their longitudinal axes and affixed at their ends to polycarbonate frames. The frames were implanted in rat subcutaneous dorsum for a 5‐week period, then removed and processed for light microscopy analysis. Fibrous capsule presence/absence and thickness around the implants were assessed, and their relationships to geometric features of the fibers investigated. A logistic regression analysis between presence/absence of a fibrous capsule and geometric features of interest demonstrated strong predictive ability (92.4% correct predictions) for implant height and a well‐defined threshold separating the presence and absence of a fibrous capsule at 5.9 μm ( p < 0.001). Implant height was defined as the vertical distance between the most superficial and deepest level of the implant. This 5.9‐μm threshold value of implant height is comparable to the 6.0‐μm diameter threshold for capsule presence/absence in fibers of circular cross‐section [Sanders et al. J Biomed Mater Res 2000; 52(1):231–237]. Fiber major axis length, minor axis length, aspect ratio, surface area per unit length, implant width, and implant angle did not show similar predictive ability or a well‐defined threshold separating the presence and absence of a fibrous capsule. It is reasoned that for fibers greater than the threshold height of 5.9 μm, separation of collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix creates dead space regions adjacent to the fibers that attract inflammatory cells and stimulate fibrous capsule formation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 67A: 1181–1187, 2003

This content is not available in your region!

Continue researching here.

Having issues? You can contact us here