From Bioinspired Topographies toward Non-Wettable Neural Implants.

The present study investigates different design strategies to produce non-wettable micropatterned surfaces. In addition to the classical method of measuring the contact angle, the non-wettability is also discussed by means of the immersion test. Inspired by non-wettable structures found in nature, the effects of features such as reentrant cavities, micropillars, and overhanging layers are studied. We show that a densely populated array of small diameter cavities exhibits superior non-wettability, with 65% of the cavities remaining intact after 24 h of full immersion in water. In addition, it is suggested that the wetting transition time is influenced by the length of the overhanging layer as well as by the number of columns within the cavity. Our findings indicate a non-wetting performance that is three times longer than previously reported in the literature for a small, densely populated design with cavities as small as 10 µm in diameter. Such properties are particularly beneficial for neural implants as they may reduce the interface between the body fluid and the solid state, thereby minimiing the inflammatory response following implantation injury. In order to assess the effectiveness of this approach in reducing the immune response induced by neural implants, further in vitro and in vivo studies will be essential.

Towards non-wettable neural electrodes for a minimized foreign body reaction.

Functionality of neural implants can be seriously impaired by scarring during the foreign body reaction (FBR). Tailoring of the material-tissue interface is supposed to modulate part of the FBR. Surface structures might physically modulate the foreign body reaction in the acute phase directly after implantation. This work focuses on fabrication and characterization of bioinspired microtextures comprising reentrant cavities with non-wettable surface characteristics. The Selected microstructure patterns were fabricated using direct laser writing and were characterized by means of contact angle measurements and immersion tests. Clinical Relevance-Suggested by the outcome of this study, the proposed surface characteristics in neural interface can impact the wetting properties of the interface, hence, influence the interaction between the body fluid with the surface of the neural implant. Future studies should address the impact of the suggested design criterion and their applicability in improving the long-term stability of neural implants.