Silk Protein Bioresorbable, Drug‐Eluting Ear Tubes: Proof‐of‐Concept

Abstract

Otitis media with effusion (OEM) is a common pediatric pathology treated with topical fluoroquinolones (ear drops) and tympanoplasty tube, also referred to as ear tube, implantation for middle ear drainage. Commercially available ear tubes are fabricated using poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) synthetic materials that are associated with long‐complications due to premature extrusion. Resorbable materials have emerged as desirable alternatives to reduce extrusion‐related complications, but often limited by fast resorption rates. Therefore, resorbable tubes with long‐term functional integrity are required for future clinical translation. In this communication, a proof‐of‐concept study is reported on a bioresorbable and drug‐eluting silk ear tube device. Preliminary in vitro assessments reveal time‐dependent drug elution and antimicrobial properties, while maintaining long‐term functional integrity in vivo. This report provides evidence of a silk ear tube with potential for future clinical translation and OEM treatment.

Insight into Silk-Based Biomaterials: From Physicochemical Attributes to Recent Biomedical Applications

“…Numerous SF-based resorbable implants developed in the form of tubes, screws, and splits owing to the biodegradability traits have successfully attained preclinical developmental stage. A few selected instances include the following: the use of micromolded and machined SF-based tympanostomy tube or ear tube for treatment of otitis media effusion (a pediatric pathological condition) showed good promise in nascent myringotomy defects in chinchillas after 8 weeks of implantation . Resorbable bone screws fabricated through macro-molding, machining for fracture fixation, and fiber-reinforced SF scaffolds for large volume defects show promising results in bone defect rabbit models. , Resorbable SF splits for treatment of tracheomalacia (weakness/collapse of the tracheal wall) were seen to be well tolerated in acute tracheomalacia induced rabbit models .…”