A model of deposition and embolization of proteins and platelets on biomaterial surfaces

A theoretical model for the deposition and detachment of protein and platelets on biomaterial surfaces is presented here. This work is an extension of the model previously reported. Two mechanisms of protein and platelet removal are assumed: A characteristic time elapses before adsorbed protein detaches from the surface, carrying away platelets and protein which have deposited on top of it; and thrombi that attain a critical size are subject to hydrodynamic forces which embolize them from the surface. A theoretical distribution of thrombus sizes is assumed. Analysis of the effects of varying model parameters on predicted protein and platelet deposition reveals that the addition of the embolization process does not change the overall structure of the deposition profiles, but does significantly affect the finer details.