Reducing inflammation and improving cochlear implants with a new slippery coating
Official title: Reducing Inflammation and Improving Electrical Performance of Cochlear Implants Through Zwitterionic Surface Modification
Funded at Zwicoat Materials Innovations, LLC · NIH-11315977 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new coating for cochlear implants aims to reduce scar tissue, lower impedance, and lessen infections to help people with hearing loss rely more on their devices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Zwicoat Materials Innovations, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Solon, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $907,712 |
| NIH project number | 2R44DC022208-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11315977 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cochlear implants or those awaiting implantation who are concerned about device performance and infection risk.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cochlear implants or those not experiencing device-related inflammation or infection may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on coating cochlear implants with a zwitterionic polymer to minimize the body's foreign reaction and keep the device working smoothly. By applying a crosslinked hydrogel coating, the goal is to cut fibrotic encapsulation by 50-70%, decrease insertion forces by more than 50%, and lower electrical impedance by about 50%. The work addresses manufacturing challenges to make the coating durable, well-adhering, and scalable for commercial use. If successful, patients could experience longer-lasting implants with fewer complications and better sound quality over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience longer-lasting cochlear implants with fewer infections and better hearing performance.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data on zwitterionic coatings show reduced fouling, but commercial adoption has been limited by adhesion and durability challenges, making this approach promising yet still proof-of-concept.
Where this research is happening
-
Zwicoat Materials Innovations, LLC
Solon, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hansen, Kameron Rex — Zwicoat Materials Innovations, LLC
- Study coordinator: Hansen, Kameron Rex
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.