Abstract
Jpn. J. Artif. Organs 11 (3), 794-797 (1982) An in vivo test for evaluation of blood compatibility is described. The specimen is prepared as follows. A suture ranging from No. 2-0 to 1 (USP) with length of 10cm is coated with the polymer which will be tested. In the animal experiment, a 18-gauge needle is inserted into the peripheral vein (jugular andfemoral vein), under general anesthesia. The suture is introduced through the needle into the lumen of the vessel. After the needle is withdrawn, the edge of the suture is ligated to the connective tissue near the puncture site of vessel. After an adequate intervals for observation (1 hour to 14 days), the animal is sacrified by exanguination under general anesthesia and heparin administration. The vein in which the suture is inserted is opened and observation is carried out macroscopically and by means of light microscopy, scanning and ransmission electron microscopy. This method has more advantages as follows than other in vivo tests reported before. (1) The procedure is simple and easy. (2) The burden affecting the animal is minimum. (3) The injury of the blood vessel is negligible. (4) Four materials can be estimated at once in each animal. (5) The test is very exact, because the blood stream is slow in peripheral veins and formed thrombus is seldom carried away. (6) Special pre-treatment for coating material is unnecessary. (7) The test is excellent in reproducibility. (8) Specimens for light and electron microscopy can be obtained from one experiment
