18 Jul Windows-to-the-Brain Implant Plus Laser Treatment May Stop Brain Infections

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Guillermo Aguilar

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: For the past 5 years or so, my collaborators and I have been working on several issues leading to the realization of the so-called “Windows to the Brain (WttB)” platform. WttB are transparent nanocrystalline yttria-stabilized-zirconia (nc-YSZ) cranial implants capable of replacing portions of the skull to allow non-invasive optical interrogation of the brain on an ongoing recurring basis. This new technological advancement could eventually afford for:

a) advancing understanding of the brain, by facilitating the clinical translation of emerging optogenetic neurotechnologies; and

b) facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of brain pathologies and neurological disorders, such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain cancer, and others.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: Our latest study shows that the most appealing property of our new  Windows to the Brain implant, namely, its intrinsic transparency, may also provide a unique opportunity for non-invasive laser treatment of post-operatory bacterial infection, which unfortunately, occurs after a large percentage of craniotomies. In particular, we used a near infra-red laser (810 nm) to disrupt the Escherichia coli (E. coli) biofilm formation on the inner surface of a typical nc-YSZ implant. Several laser intensities and application protocols were used to find a good compromise between bacterial inactivation and implant temperature increase. The results of this in vitro study suggest that using nc-YSZ as a cranial implant in vivo may also allow for locally selective, non-invasive, chronic treatment of bacterial layers (fouling) that might form under cranial implants, without causing adverse thermal damage to the underlying host tissue when appropriate laser parameters are used.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: They should recognize that the latest study provides more evidence and reinforces the conviction that the optical, mechanical and thermal properties of this material are ideal for the realization of a novel cranial implant (Windows to the Brain implant), capable not only of enabling optical access to the brain for subsequent diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, but also facilitating the inactivation of potentially disruptive bacterial infections after implantation.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Similar but in vivo studies should follow this study. We need to corroborate that sufficient bacterial inactivation can be achieved without any long-term sign of thermal damage to the underlying tissue. We also need to assess the volumetric effect of the laser-bacterial/tissue interaction to determine the therapeutic margin that could be expected as a function of diverse laser parameters.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Damestani, Y., De Howitt, N., Halaney, D. L., Garay, J. E. and Aguilar, G. (2016), Evaluation of laser bacterial anti-fouling of transparent nanocrystalline yttria-stabilized-zirconia cranial implant. Lasers Surg. Med.. doi: 10.1002/lsm.225581

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions
.
More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com

[wysija_form id=”5″]

Last Updated on July 18, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD