Heparin-like tubings. I. Preparation, characterization and biological in vitro activity assessment

In order to prepare tubular materials which could be used in blood-circulating medical devices, polystyrene was grafted by irradiation on to polyethylene tubings. A chemical surface treatment was used which resulted in the functionalization of the inner face of the tubing. This procedure is described and the chemical assessment of the constitution of the functionalized polymer has been completed. Tubing, the inner face of which is made of polyethylene-polystyrene copolymer in which polystyrene moieties were substituted with sulphonate and aspartic acid sulphamid groups, was tested for antithrombic properties in a circulating device under controlled transport conditions and by use of purified proteins.