Tissue culture as a means of establishing an epidermal-implant union in percutaneous implants

Abstract

Tissue culture was used as a method for establishing an epidermal union to the polycarbonate flange of a percutaneous implant. The cells united to the implant material in culture as indicated by the formation of hemidesmosomes in close association with the polycarbonate. Rat tail collagen coated on the polycarbonate facilitated the attachment of epidermal cells to this material. By seven days the cells covered the surface of the implant flange when innoculated at a high seed density. When a low number of cells was used to initiate a culture, epidermal growth factor and/or brain extract were required to bring the culture to confluence. A sheet of transplanted cultured epidermal cells showed evidence of intact cells at 48 hours. The implant with cultured epidermal cells failed to unite with the tissues of the graft bed and the cells deteriored. Therefore, the model tested was not a successful percutaneous implant.