PATTERNED SURFACE
The present disclosure provides patterned materials that may be useful in reducing certain negative effects associated with damaged tissue in vivo. The patterned materials can modify the healing process, and may minimize the formation of scar tissue. Such effects can provide inhibition of adhesion between tissues and/or reduction of fibrotic encapsulation around implanted medical devices.
1 . A patterned adhesion barrier comprising a base surface, wherein at least a portion of the base surface comprises a plurality of projections attached to the base surface and extending outward therefrom, wherein the projections are irregularly spaced with respect to each other and have an average length to diameter aspect ratio of at least about 5.
2 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the projections have an average length to diameter aspect ratio of at least about 10.
3 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the projections have an average length to diameter aspect ratio of at least about 15.
4 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein each projection has a length to diameter aspect ratio of at least about 5.
5 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the projections have an average length of at least about 5 μm.
6 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the projections have an average length of at least about 10 μm.
7 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the projections have an average length of at least about 15 μm.
8 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the projections each have a substantially uniform diameter along their length.
9 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the projections each have a diameter that is highest at the point of attachment to the base surface and decreases along the length of the projection.
10 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections comprises projections having substantially the same length, wherein the lengths vary by less than about 20% with respect to the average length.
11 . The adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections comprises projections having lengths that vary by at least about 20% with respect to the average length.
12 . The adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections comprises projections having lengths that vary by at least about 50% with respect to the average length.
13 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections comprises projections having substantially the same maximum diameters.
14 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the average spacing between adjacent projections is less than about 1 μm.
15 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the spacing between adjacent projections is less than about 2 times the average diameter of the projections.
16 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the projections are flexible.
17 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the projections comprise one or more biocompatible polymers.
18 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 17 , wherein the one or more biocompatible polymers are selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(methacrylic acid), polyethylene-co-vinylacetate, poly(dimethylsiloxane), polyurethane, poly(ethylene terephthalate), polysulfone, poly(ethylene oxide), polyether etherketone, nylon, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, polycarbonates, poly(butyric acid), poly(valeric acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(lactic acid), poly(caprolactone), polydioxanone, poly(ortho ester), poly(hydroxy butyrate valerate), poly(glycolic acid), and derivatives and copolymers thereof.
19 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 17 , wherein the biocompatible polymers are bioabsorbable.
20 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of projections define a patterned surface that is not hydrophobic.
21 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the barrier is flexible.
22 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 1 , wherein the barrier is associated with a substrate.
23 . The patterned adhesion barrier of claim 22 , wherein the substrate comprises an implantable medical device.