Tracheal stents are used to keep the airways open in patients with central airway disease to prevent obstruction that can lead to asphyxiation and death. Stents based on silicone t-tubes have been used for 60+ years yet are prone to biofilm formation leading to frequent revisions, and poor healing of the surgical site and quality of life. The researchers seek to develop a biomimetic tracheal device inspired by the structure and function of cells with hair-like projections in a wave-like motion moving mucus out of the trachea to tackle biofilm formation ultimately improving patient experience and providing value across the healthcare chain.
The major innate defence system of the airways is mucociliary clearance. To move mucus unidirectionally out of the airways, the cilia, micrometre-long hair-like projections on airway epithelial cells, embedded in the periciliary layer, a dense mucin glycopolymer network, beat in a metachronal manner. Inspired by this biological example, we will develop synthetic mimics of the functional components involved in mucociliary clearance based on mucin-inspired supramolecular glycopolymers and artificial magnetic cilia that can be activated by an external magnetic field. We will explore the synergy between these synthetic components on the movement of mucus out of a tubular configuration for its eventual use in tracheal stents that consist solely of silicone-based tubings. The upgrade of these medical devices to an active, biomimetic platform is anticipated to reduce biofilm formation and infection that leads to their frequent revision in airway stenosis patients due to the regenerable surfaces provided by the dynamic polymers and beating of the artificial cilia through their magnetic actuation. The highly interdisciplinary nature of the proposal and matched expertise of the consortium on the Brazilian and Dutch sides with support across the knowledge chain from medical centres, clinicians, patient organizations, industrial partners, a non-profit organization, and insurance company will facilitate the development of this bioinspired platform for mucociliary clearance from the molecular to the macroscale for tracheal health with societal impact.