Cytotoxicity evaluation of polymer‐derived ceramics for pacemaker electrode applications

Abstract

Ceramics are known to be chemically stable, and the possibility to electrically dope polymer-derived ceramics makes it a material of interest for implantable electrode applications. We investigated cytotoxic characteristics of four polymer-derived ceramic candidates with either electrically conductive or insulating properties. Cytotoxicity was assessed by culturing C2C12 myoblast cells under two conditions: by exposing them to material extracts and by putting them directly in contact with material samples. Cell spreading was optically evaluated by comparing microscope observations immediately after the materials insertion and after 24 h culturing. Cell viability (MTT) and mortality (LDH) were quantified after 24-h incubation in contact with the materials. Comparison was made with biocompatible positive references (alumina, platinum, biocompatible stainless steel 1.4435), negative references (latex, stainless steel 1.4301) and controls (no material present in the culture wells). We found that the cytotoxic properties of tested ceramics are comparable to established reference materials. These ceramics, which are reported to be very stable, can be microstructured and electrically doped to a wide range of conductivity and are thus excellent candidates for implantable electrode applications including pacemakers.

Multicellular Biohybrid Materials: Probing the Interplay of Cells of Different Types Precisely Positioned and Constrained on 3D Wireframe‐Like Microstructures

“…Therefore, a live/dead assay comprising several liquid exchanges and rinsing steps is too challenging. Nevertheless, the elongated shape of the cells is a strong indication of their vitality …”

Organosilicon polymer-derived ceramics: An overview

“…The stoichiometry of oxygen and carbon can be easily adjusted by different raw organosilicon polymers or chemical post-treatments, leading to a promising use for SiOC in blood-contact applications. Grossenbacher et al [148] demonstrated that the polymer-derived ceramics were stable and low toxicity, and their electrical conductivity could be adjusted by carbon doping, which could be used in implantable electrode applications such as pacemakers. Tamayo et al [149][150][151] fabricated mesoporous SiOC for controlled drug delivery.…”

“…Silicon carbonitride (SiCN) derived from polysilazane possesses the outstanding properties including thermal stability, high mechanical strength, and excellent fracture toughness, which shows great potential for high temperature and structure applications [153,154]. In general, amorphous SiCN ceramics can be obtained at 1000 ℃, which are transferred into SiC and Si 3 N 4 phases with free carbon at a higher temperature, and then β-SiC could be formed from the reaction between Si 3 N 4 and free carbon over 1800 ℃ [73,[147][148][149][150].…”

On the onset of fracture as a silicon‐based polymer converts into the ceramic phase

“…They have attractive high‐temperature mechanical properties, excellent oxidation resistance, and functional properties including semiconductivity, gas‐sensing, piezoresistivity, and lithium sequestration . Their biocompatibility harbors well for medical applications …”