The Potential Role of Graphene in Developing the Next Generation of Endomaterials

Abstract

Graphene is the first 2-dimensional material and possesses a plethora of original properties. Graphene and its derivatives have exhibited a great potential in a number of fields, both medical and nonmedical. The aim of this review is to set the theoretical basis for further research in developing graphene-based endovascular materials. An extensive search was performed in medical and bioengineering literature. Published data on other carbon materials, as well as limited data from medical use of graphene, are promising. Graphene is a promising future material for developing novel endovascular materials. Certain issues as biocompatibility, biotoxicity, and biostability should be explored further.

Biocompatible Carbon-Based Coating as Potential Endovascular Material for Stent Surface

“…EsB “in-Lens” detector allows blocking all electrons with kinetic energies lower than the strengths of the retarding field acting in front of the EsB detector [ 13 ]. As a result, it was possible to eliminate the secondary electrons from the image and include in the SEM detection the low energy-loss electrons only, aiming at identification of carbon contamination on steel [ 24 ].…”

“…Graphene is a single atomic sheet of conjugated sp2 carbon atoms with unique physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. Recently, a great potential of graphene and its derivatives, such as graphene oxide (GO), for medical applications has also been raised [ 13 ]. Graphene has been used in many biomedical applications, including the culture of neuronal cells and human osteoblasts [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Progress in cardiovascular biomaterials

“…Without releasing metal ions and by providing lower thrombogenicity, graphene scaffolds could lead to improved long-term patency and fewer allergic reactions compared to today’s endovascular scaffolds. 36 Metal corrosion, which is evident in other scaffolds after long-term contact with the bloodstream, does not affect graphene scaffolds. The potential of graphene to embed and release molecules could further improve patency by releasing antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents, and increase safety by preventing bacterial colonization and in-stent stenosis by releasing cytostatic molecules in well-controlled doses.…”

“…Without releasing metal ions and by providing lower thrombogenicity, graphene scaffolds could lead to improved long-term patency and fewer allergic reactions compared to today's endovascular scaffolds. 36 Metal corrosion, which is evident in other scaffolds after long-term contact with the bloodstream, does not affect graphene scaffolds.…”

Aortic Graft Infection: Graphene Shows the Way to an Infection-Resistant Vascular Graft

“…One of these futuristic super-materials that have already found its place in many health-related applications is graphene. Graphene is the only two-dimensional material, with each graphene layer being 1 atom or 0.345-nm thick ( 12 ). Graphene demonstrates a number of unique characteristics, and its promising future applications have awarded its creators, Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics.…”