Journal article
Enhancing Mucus Flow and Clearance by Grafting Zwitterionic Hydrogel Films to Luminal Surfaces
Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology, Vol.10(2), e70118
04/2025
DOI: 10.1002/lio2.70118
PMCID: PMC11886986
PMID: 40061206
Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access
Abstract
To determine the effects of zwitterionic hydrogel films on mucus contact angles, flow, and stasis with respect to medical polymer surfaces, both flat and tubular.
A zwitterionic hydrogel thin film was photografted onto medical rubber surfaces and compared against non-zwitterionic hydrogel thin films and untreated surfaces to determine its impact on mucus contact angles, mucus flow on sheets and tubes, and mucus plugging.
Zwitterionic and conventional hydrogel films significantly reduce the mucus contact angles and the tilt required to initiate mucus flow on sheets and in tubular systems. Preliminary experiments show that these films may also shorten the time required for a mucus-plugged tube to unplug when exposed to saline.
Zwitterionic and conventional hydrogel films on typical medical surfaces reduce resistance to mucus flow, increase mucus discharge, and may facilitate faster unplugging of dried mucus. These effects are the most pronounced on tubes of larger inner diameter (greater than 2.6 mm) and tend to dissipate for tubes of smaller diameter. These results may help guide future improvements to medical tubes intended to discharge mucus and ventilate, resulting in fewer complications for patients.
Level 2, randomized individual trial.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Enhancing Mucus Flow and Clearance by Grafting Zwitterionic Hydrogel Films to Luminal Surfaces
- Creators
- Ryan Horne - University of IowaCaleb Escudero - University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsMorgan Ellerman - University of IowaC Allan Guymon - University of IowaMarlan Hansen - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology, Vol.10(2), e70118
- DOI
- 10.1002/lio2.70118
- PMID
- 40061206
- PMCID
- PMC11886986
- NLM abbreviation
- Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol
- ISSN
- 2378-8038
- eISSN
- 2378-8038
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Grant note
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Dr. Yuliang Xie for facilitating the harvesting of mucus from banana slugs.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/2025
- Academic Unit
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering; Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9984800206502771
Metrics
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