A Universal Nanogel-Based Coating Approach for Medical Implant Materials

Coatings are essential for biomedical applications antifouling and antimicrobial properties, supporting cell adhesion and tissue integration and particularly interesting in this field are nanogel (nGel)-based coatings. Since biomaterials differ in physiochemical properties, specific nGel-coating strategies need to be developed for every distinct material, leading to complex coating strategies. Hence, the solution lies in adopting a universal strategy to apply the same nGel coating with the same function on a wide range of implant surfaces. To this end, a universal nGel-based coating approach provides the same coating using a single method on implant materials including stiff polymer materials, metals, ceramics, glass, and elastomers. The coating formation is achieved by electrostatic interactions between oxygen plasma-activated surfaces and positively charged nGels using a spray-deposition method. Fluorescent labels are introduced into the nGels as a model for post-modification capabilities to increase the functionality of the coating. The coating is highly stable under in vitro physiological conditions with the retention of its function on different clinically relevant materials. Meanwhile, the in vivo study indicates that the nGel coating on a polyvinylidene fluoride hernia mesh is stable and biocompatible, therefore, making the coating and the coating strategy, a highly impactful approach for future clinical developments.

Automated summary

Coatings are crucial for biomedical applications, and nanogel (nGel)-based coatings are particularly interesting. However, specific coating strategies need to be developed for different biomaterials, leading to complexity. A universal nGel-based coating approach is proposed, utilizing oxygen plasma-activated surfaces and positively charged nGels, to achieve the same coating on a wide range of implant materials. The coating is stable and functional under in vitro physiological conditions and shows biocompatibility in vivo, making it a highly impactful approach for future clinical developments.