Fluorine-Containing Segmented Polyurethane for an Antithrombogenic Elastomer

Abstract

A series of fluorine-containing segmented polyurethanes (FPU) was synthesized from a new fluorinated aliphatic diisocyanate, polyalkylene glycols, and diamines. Electron microscopy showed that FPU have microphase separated structures which may possibly consist of hydrophobic domains of fluorocarbon chains and hydrophilic domains of hydrocarbon chains. FPU-20 E, prepared from polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) of 1080 in molecular weight and ethylenediamine, exhibited excellent tensile properties as an elastomer and a high degree of in vitro antithrombogenicity. An in vivo evaluation using this material as an artificial heart pump for a goat showed it to have superior blood compatibility and durability, and thus may have possible application as a new biomaterial in cardiovascular devices, such as blood pumps in particular.