EVALUATION OF THE TISSUE REACTION TO A PERCUTANEOUS ACCESS DEVICE USING TITANIUM FIBER MESH ANCHORAGE IN GOATS

The tissue reaction to a percutaneous access device, applicable as a c arrier for an implantable glucose sensor, was evaluated in goats. Tita nium fibre mesh structures were used for anchorage of the device in su perficial as well as deeper soft-tissue locations. The percutaneous pa rt was subcutaneously anchored with a fibre mesh sheet. The distal par t was placed intraperitoneally and anchored in deeper soft-tissue laye rs using a fibre mesh cuff. All implants showed good healing with the surrounding tissue. Histological evaluation showed that the subcutaneo us fibre mesh sheets and peritoneal fibre mesh cuffs were filled with immature connective tissue, generally free of inflammation. Problems c oncerning disconnection of the silicone catheter from the titanium hol ding element and filling of part of the peritoneal fibre mesh cuff wit h silicone glue have to be overcome by more appropriate preclinical te sting and improved implant design. Our results demonstrate that titani um fibre mesh structures can be used effectively for soft-tissue ancho rage of percutaneous access devices. A sufficient ingrowth of connecti ve tissue was obtained in superficial as well as in deeper soft-tissue layers. The access device could have application as a carrier for an implantable glucose sensor for glucose monitoring in different tissue compartments.