Recent Advances in Anti-inflammatory Strategies for Implantable Biosensors and Medical Implants

Abstract

Due to the global aging at an accelerated rate, demands for medical implants have been rapidly increasing. Consequently, a number of complications associated with medical implants has been reported. The complication is mainly due to foreign body response (FBR) which is a nonspecific immune response. Once the implants inserted inside the body, the immune system recognize the implant as foreign body and the immune response cause several problems that could possibly lead to mortality. Conventional approaches including medication have limitations in terms of effectiveness, thus various strategies to reduce the FBR have been studied. Herein, we review current trends of research to reduce FBR, and discuss how the strategies work and function in the body. The strategies include usage of biomaterials that have similar degree of softness to the body, effective drug delivery techniques, and biomimetic surfaces. Furthermore, the possible applications and future perspectives on the strategies will be provided.