Novel photoreactive surface modification technology for fabricated devices

A novel surface process technology was developed to improve biocompatibility of fabricated devices, such as artificial blood pumps. The developed technology is based on photochemistry of a phenyl azide group, which is capable of covalently binding a synthetic polymer or protein to substrate surfaces upon ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The photoreactive co-polymers or proteins, which were grafted or modified with phenyl azide groups, were successfully chemically fixed to surfaces. Photoreactive, hydrophilic copolymers with poly(dimethyl acrylamide) and albumin, both of which were chemically fixed on surfaces, were found effective for blood compatible surfaces; a fibronectin-bound surface was suitable for providing tissue compatibility. The quartz optical fiber guided UV irradiation system enables one to provide desired biocompatibility to a specific part of a fabricated device.