Abstract
Several surface modification techniques are being used to improve the biocompatibility and performance of medical devices. These include the immobilization of bioactive molecules and the incorporation of hydrophilic polymer grafts onto hydrophobic surfaces. This paper describes a unique hemocompatible polymer, lubricious surfaces when wet, and a HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus)-inactivating filter. A new coating material, poly-2-methoxyethylacrylate (PMEA), was developed to improve the biocompatibility of cardiopulmonary bypass circuits. PMEA-coated surfaces suppress the adhesion and denaturation of plasma proteins, and exhibited excellent blood compatibility in widespread clinical use. HIV-inactivating filter was prepared by immobilizing polyethyleneimine onto the surface of polypropylene porous membrane after plasma-induced sequential grafting of PMEA and poly (glycidylacrylate). Lubricity is a desirable property for the surfaces of catheters and guidewires to facilitate insertion and manoeuvrability within blood vessels. Hydrogel-like surfaces were prepared by grafting of poly (N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAA) and polymer-coatings with reactive PDMAA copolymers, and these showed highly hydrophilic property and excellent lubricious performance.
