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. 2012:2012:707863.
doi: 10.1155/2012/707863. Epub 2012 May 27.

Surface modification of biomaterials: a quest for blood compatibility

Achala de Mel  1 , Brian G Cousins, Alexander M Seifalian
Affiliations

Surface modification of biomaterials: a quest for blood compatibility

Achala de Mel et al. Int J Biomater. 2012.

Abstract

Cardiovascular implants must resist thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia to maintain patency. These implants when in contact with blood face a challenge to oppose the natural coagulation process that becomes activated. Surface protein adsorption and their relevant 3D confirmation greatly determine the degree of blood compatibility. A great deal of research efforts are attributed towards realising such a surface, which comprise of a range of methods on surface modification. Surface modification methods can be broadly categorized as physicochemical modifications and biological modifications. These modifications aim to modulate platelet responses directly through modulation of thrombogenic proteins or by inducing antithrombogenic biomolecules that can be biofunctionalised onto surfaces or through inducing an active endothelium. Nanotechnology is recognising a great role in such surface modification of cardiovascular implants through biofunctionalisation of polymers and peptides in nanocomposites and through nanofabrication of polymers which will pave the way for finding a closer blood match through haemostasis when developing cardiovascular implants with a greater degree of patency.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Haemocompatibility-determining factors in a cardiovascular device; marked in red are areas of interest in this paper.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation: highlighted are the main factors which are involved in blood coagulation. Numbered events distinguish as (1) biochemical, (2) platelets, and (3) whole blood (red and white blood cells). Image is adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coagulation_full.svg.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Main mechanisms influencing blood compatibility.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Examples of various physical, chemical, and biofunctionalisation techniques to enhance haemocompatibility. Biofunctionalised surfaces interact with cell surface receptors, that is integrins. Whereas physiochemical modification can influence cell-material interactions through charge, topography, and attractive/repulsive forces due to hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions [26].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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