NITRIC OXIDE-MODIFIED LINEAR POLY(ETHYLENIMINE) FIBERS AND USES THEREFOR

摘要

A novel coating for medical devices provides nitric oxide delivery using nanofibers of linear poly(ethylenimine)diazeniumdiolate. Linear poly(ethylenimine)diazeniumdiolate releases nitric oxide (NO) in a controlle d manner to tissues and organs to aid the healing process and to prevent injur y to tissues at risk of injury. Electrospun nanofibers of linear poly(ethylenimine)diazeniumdiolate deliver therapeutic levels of NO to the tissues surrounding a medical device while minimizing the alteration of the properties of the device. A nanofiber coating, because of the small size and large surface area per unit mass of the nanofibers, provides a much larger surface area per unit mass while minimizing changes in other properties of t he device.