Multifunctional glycoprotein coatings improve the surface properties of highly oxygen permeable contact lenses

Biopolymeric Innovations in Ophthalmic Surgery: Enhancing Devices and Drug Delivery Systems

The interface between material science and ophthalmic medicine is witnessing significant advances with the introduction of biopolymers in medical device fabrication. This review discusses the impact of biopolymers on the development of ophthalmic devices, such as intraocular lenses, stents, and various prosthetics. Biopolymers are emerging as superior alternatives due to their biocompatibility, mechanical robustness, and biodegradability, presenting an advance over traditional materials with respect to patient comfort and environmental considerations. We explore the spectrum of biopolymers used in ophthalmic devices and evaluate their physical properties, compatibility with biological tissues, and clinical performances. Specific applications in oculoplastic and orbital surgeries, hydrogel applications in ocular therapeutics, and polymeric drug delivery systems for a range of ophthalmic conditions were reviewed. We also anticipate future directions and identify challenges in the field, advocating for a collaborative approach between material science and ophthalmic practice to foster innovative, patient-focused treatments. This synthesis aims to reinforce the potential of biopolymers to improve ophthalmic device technology and enhance clinical outcomes.

Lubricity, wear prevention, and anti-biofouling properties of macromolecular coatings for endotracheal tubes

Macromolecular coatings can improve the surface properties of many medical devices by enhancing their wetting behavior, tribological performance, and anti-biofouling properties - and covalent coatings produced from mucin glycoproteins have been shown to be very powerful in all those aspects. However, obtaining highly functional mucin glycoproteins is, at the moment, still a time-consuming process, which renders mucins rather expensive compared to other biomacromolecules. Here, we study a set of commercially available macromolecules that have the potential of substituting mucins in coatings for endotracheal tubes (ETTs). We present an overview of the different properties these macromolecular coatings establish on the ETT surface and whether they withstand storage or sterilization processes. Our study pinpoints several strategies of how to enhance the lubricity of ETTs by applying macromolecular coatings but also demonstrates the limited anti-biofouling abilities of well-established macromolecules such as hyaluronic acid, polyethylene glycol, and dextran. Based on the obtained results, we discuss to what extent those coatings can be considered equivalent alternatives to mucin coatings for applications on medical devices - their applicability does not have to be limited to ETTs, but could be broadened to catheters and endoscopes as well.

A Mucin-Based Bio-Ink for 3D Printing of Objects with Anti-Biofouling Properties

With its potential to revolutionize the field of personalized medicine by producing customized medical devices and constructs for tissue engineering at low costs, 3D printing has emerged as a highly promising technology. Recent advancements have sparked increasing interest in the printing of biopolymeric hydrogels. However, owing to the limited printability of those soft materials, the lack of variability in available bio-inks remains a major challenge. In this study, a novel bio-ink is developed based on functionalized mucin-a glycoprotein that exhibits a multitude of biomedically interesting properties such as immunomodulating activity and strong anti-biofouling behavior. To achieve sufficient printability of the mucin-based ink, its rheological properties are tuned by incorporating Laponite XLG as a stabilizing agent. It is shown that cured objects generated from this novel bio-ink exhibit mechanical properties partially similar to that of soft tissue, show strong anti-biofouling properties, good biocompatibility, tunable cell adhesion, and immunomodulating behavior. The presented findings suggest that this 3D printable bio-ink has a great potential for a wide range of biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, wound healing, and soft robotics.