Titaniumcarboxonitride layer increased biocompatibility of medical polyetherurethanes

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surface Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Polyetherurethane (PEU) is widely used in blood-contacting devices due to its mechanical strength.
• However, PEU's hydrophobic nature leads to poor hemocompatibility, necessitating surface modifications.
• Endothelialization or surface treatments are crucial for improving PEU biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the biocompatibility of polyetherurethane (PEU) for biomedical applications.
• To investigate the effect of a titanium carboxonitride [Ti(C,N,O)] coating on PEU hemocompatibility.
• To evaluate the performance of coated PEU under physiological conditions.

Main Methods:

• PEU surfaces were coated with titanium carboxonitride [Ti(C,N,O)] using a plasma-activated chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) process.
• Static and dynamic cell culture techniques were employed to assess biocompatibility.
• Human endothelial cells, mononuclear cells, and platelets were used to evaluate cellular interactions and hemocompatibility.

Main Results:

• Titaniferous coating significantly enhanced human endothelial cell proliferation and mitochondrial activity on PEU.
• Coated PEU surfaces showed significantly reduced capture of mononuclear cells and platelets.
• Under shear stress, the titaniferous coating promoted endothelial cell adhesion, spreading, and formation of a dense monolayer.

Conclusions:

• Coating PEU with titanium carboxonitride [Ti(C,N,O)] is a promising strategy to improve its hemocompatibility.
• This surface modification enhances endothelialization and reduces adverse cellular interactions.
• Titaniferous-coated PEU demonstrates improved biocompatibility for potential use in vascular grafts and other blood-contacting devices.