New Method for Grafting of Thrombo-Resistant Films Onto Versatile Substrates
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20148541
One of the most frequent adverse events that occurs when a device is implanted into the body is biofouling on its surface due to the nonspecific absorption of of blood proteins. This absorption often leads to thrombosis (blood clotting) and thus leaves the device ineffective. Researchers Hyukjin Lee et al propose the use of Catechol-grafted PEG attachment to substrates of varying materials in order to reduce the incidence of thrombosis. PEG is a highly hydrophilic polymer that creates an aqueous barrier around it, thus preventing the absorption of hydrophobic blood proteins. To attach the PEG chains to surfaces, the researchers grafted catechol (in this instance Dopamine) to the backbone of the PEG, which increased the interfacial binding force, allowing the PEG to be immobilized onto the surfaces of various substrates including Au, Ti, Si, polycarbonate, and polytetrafluoroethylene. Their results showed a significant decrease in the static contact angle of water on the previously listed substrates, thus demonstrating an increase in hydrophilicity and therefore a decrease in blood protein absorption. This research opens up many possibilities for implantable devices because of the low level of substrate specificity that catechol-grafted PEG has when immobilizing on surfaces.
One of the most frequent adverse events that occurs when a device is implanted into the body is biofouling on its surface due to the nonspecific absorption of of blood proteins. This absorption often leads to thrombosis (blood clotting) and thus leaves the device ineffective. Researchers Hyukjin Lee et al propose the use of Catechol-grafted PEG attachment to substrates of varying materials in order to reduce the incidence of thrombosis. PEG is a highly hydrophilic polymer that creates an aqueous barrier around it, thus preventing the absorption of hydrophobic blood proteins. To attach the PEG chains to surfaces, the researchers grafted catechol (in this instance Dopamine) to the backbone of the PEG, which increased the interfacial binding force, allowing the PEG to be immobilized onto the surfaces of various substrates including Au, Ti, Si, polycarbonate, and polytetrafluoroethylene. Their results showed a significant decrease in the static contact angle of water on the previously listed substrates, thus demonstrating an increase in hydrophilicity and therefore a decrease in blood protein absorption. This research opens up many possibilities for implantable devices because of the low level of substrate specificity that catechol-grafted PEG has when immobilizing on surfaces.
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