Mechanical Properties of Smart Polypropylene Meshes: Effects of Mesh Architecture, Plasma Treatment, Thermosensitive Coating, and Sterilization Process

• Published in: ACS biomaterials science & engineering Vol. 9; no. 6; pp. 3699 - 3711
• Main Authors: Lanzalaco, Sonia, Weis, Christine, Traeger, Kamelia A., Turon, Pau, Alemán, Carlos, Armelin, Elaine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 12.06.2023
• Subjects: Hydrogels - chemistry; Manufacturing, Technology, and Devices; Polypropylenes - chemistry; Prostheses and Implants; Sterilization - methods; Surgical Mesh; biomedical implant; pull out test; poly(N-isopropylacrylamide); surgical mesh; bursting test; EtOx sterilization
• ISSN: 2373-9878; 2373-9878
• DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00311

Smart polypropylene (PP) hernia meshes were proposed to detect surgical infections and to regulate cell attachment-modulated properties. For this purpose, lightweight and midweight meshes were modified by applying a plasma treatment for subsequent grafting of a thermosensitive hydrogel, poly­(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm). However, both the physical treatment with plasma and the chemical processes required for the covalent incorporation of PNIPAAm can modify the mechanical properties of the mesh and thus have an influence in hernia repair procedures. In this work, the mechanical performance of plasma-treated and hydrogel-grafted meshes preheated at 37 °C has been compared with standard meshes using bursting and the suture pull out tests. Furthermore, the influence of the mesh architecture, the amount of grafted hydrogel, and the sterilization process on such properties have been examined. Results reveal that although the plasma treatment reduces the bursting and suture pull out forces, the thermosensitive hydrogel improves the mechanical resistance of the meshes. Moreover, the mechanical performance of the meshes coated with the PNIPAAm hydrogel is not influenced by ethylene oxide gas sterilization. Micrographs of the broken meshes evidence the role of the hydrogel as reinforcing coating for the PP filaments. Overall, results confirm that the modification of PP medical textiles with a biocompatible thermosensitive hydrogel do not affect, and even improve, the mechanical requirements necessary for the implantation of these prostheses in vivo.