Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWSAfter aneurysm surgery, there is a significant risk of postoperative vascular spasms, which can lead to serious complications. Despite intensive research, there are still no reliable methods for delivering medication directly to the affected areas of the brain. This is precisely where the “BRAIN” research pro-ject of the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, based in Halle (Saale), comes in. The focus is on the development of innovative, superporous sponges that serve as local drug carriers and can release medication directly at the site of the procedure. This approach aims to significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening complications after neurosurgery.
The treatment of vascular diseases of the brain poses major challenges for modern medicine. After aneurysm surgery, there is a high risk of postoperative vascular spasms, which can cause serious complications such as strokes or a renewed rupture of the aneurysm. The current standard therapy is based on the intravenous administration of nimodipine, a drug designed to prevent vascular constriction. However, this systemic treatment is associated with considerable risks, including side effects, hemorrhagic strokes, and, in the worst case, death.
The project “BRAIN – Superporous retardant sponges for the preventive treatment of postoperative vascular spasms” is therefore pursuing a novel approach: the local and controlled release of nimodipine directly at the site of the procedure. To this end, superporous sponges are being developed that are loaded with the active ingredient and release it to the surrounding tissue in a targeted manner over a defined period of time. This method promises significantly higher therapeutic efficacy with reduced systemic side effects. It thus represents a superior alternative to conventional intravenous treatment and can contribute significantly to the prevention of postoperative complications.
“Our goal is to develop materials that are not only highly innovative from a technological standpoint but also offer real medical added value. With the superporous sponges, we are laying the foundation for precise and safe drug delivery in the brain – a decisive advance for neurosurgical treatment,” explains Dr. Andrea Friedmann, project manager at Fraunhofer IMWS.
The scientific work at Fraunhofer IMWS focuses on the development, production, and characterization of the sponges. For selected polymers, the suitable process conditions for production by electrospinning, fiber cutting, and suspension production are determined. The materials obtained in this way are then comprehensively examined regarding their physicochemical properties, their loading and release capacity, and their biological compatibility. Extensive in vitro studies analyze biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and possible inflammatory and immune reactions to ensure the suitability of the materials for use in the brain. At the same time, a concept for technology transfer from the laboratory to larger production scales is being developed to enable future industrial application.
The development of a biocompatible material that can be used directly in the human brain poses complex challenges in terms of research, safety, and approval. Nevertheless, it also offers enormous potential: successful implementation could make a decisive contribution to improving neurosurgical therapies.
(November 13, 2025)