Ion beam modification of polymers for medical devices

Abstract

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) as an artificial dura mater is often associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage after skull base surgeries, because ePTFE is not able to adhere to both fibrin glue and tissue. To improve these critical properties, the surface of ePTFE was modified with ion beam irradiation. ePTFE sheets were irradiated with Ar⁺ ions with a fluence of 5×10¹⁴ ions/cm² and an energy of 150 keV. CSF leakage did not occur for ion beam irradiated ePTFE that adhered to surrounding tissues. Brain artery aneurysms are frequently treated using a microsurgical clipping of the aneurysm neck or endovascular coiling of the aneurysm sac. For some broad-based aneurysms not suitable for these options, ion implantation is also utilized with ePTFE wrapping material for the treatment of brain aneurysms.