Layer Up: Drug-Eluting Coating for Implantable Devices and Biomaterials

Implantable devices and biomaterials such as surgical mesh are used to provide support for internal organs and to treat surgical or traumatic wounds, such as a hernia mesh, stress urinary incontinence slings, or a mesh for treating prolapse. Many mesh companies have recently had their products recalled and are facing litigation due to the high number of complications, and FDA has classified surgical mesh as a high-risk implantable device. Currently, there is no solution that is completely safe and effective. 

Images on the left depict the body’s response to conventional surgical mesh (top) and a mesh coated with layer up (bottom). Images on the right show the reduction of fibrotic tissue surrounding mesh fibers associated with positive long-term effects.

Description

Layer Up is a drug-eluting mesh coating that prevents complications and rejection of the implant. Unlike conventional coatings, Layer Up releases anti-inflammatory agents promoting the successful integration of the implant into the tissue. A surgical mesh coated with Layer Up technology controls the immune response by releasing anti-inflammatory molecules to prevent rejection. Beyond mesh, this technology is also applicable to many types of biomaterial implants. Pre-clinical studies on small animals have shown that Layer Up successfully prevented an inflammatory response and was associated with improved integration in the body in the long term.

Applications

• Hernia repair
• Prolapse treatment
• Incontinence slings
• Biomaterial and device implants for tissue reconstruction following trauma or surgery

Advantages

• Safe, effective, and long-lasting
• Prevents implant rejection
• Technology can be repurposed to other biomaterial implants

Invention Readiness

In vivo mouse data

IP Status

https://patents.google.com/patent/US10576187B2

Related Publication(s)

Hachim, D., LoPresti, S. T., Yates, C. C., & Brown, B. N. (2017). Shifts in macrophage phenotype at the biomaterial interface via IL-4 eluting coatings are associated with improved implant integration. Biomaterials, 112, 95–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.10.019