Drug/Device

Drug coated stents have demonstrated the large potential for combined design of device/drug delivery systems. In collaboration with neurosurgeons, we have investigated the use of platinum and degradable coils that are drug or gene coated for the purposes of nonsurgical treatment of cerebral aneurysms. We have developed a new rat model for coil testings that recreates arterial pressurization and stasis, the setting for aneurysm growth.

We have shown in an in vivo model of arterial stasis and pressurization that rhVEGF added to the platinum surface provides an enhanced cellular response compared with unmodified coils and coils modified with collagen. Our results suggest that factors with enhanced biological activity that are added to platinum coils may induce a better fibrotic reaction and improve occlusion rates of aneurysms, especially those that are large and/or with wide necks. The next step would be to use rhVEGFmodified coils in experimental jugular vein aneurysms to compare their efficacy to other GDC surface modifications.

 Publications