Enhanced antithrombogenic performance of microfluidic oxygenators through dual bioactive surface modification for an...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Medical Device Engineering
• Neonatal Medicine

Background:

• Artificial placenta systems are crucial for infant respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
• Current systems require systemic anticoagulation, increasing hemorrhage risk in premature infants.
• Novel surface modifications are needed to eliminate systemic anticoagulants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a dual bioactive surface modification for polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic oxygenators.
• To assess the anticoagulant properties and gas exchange capacity of the modified artificial placenta system.
• To reduce the risk of intracranial hemorrhage in premature infants treated with artificial placenta systems.

Main Methods:

• Developed a dual-modification method using antithrombin-heparin complex (ATH) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) linked via polydopamine (PDA) onto PDMS.
• Applied the modification to a PDMS microfluidic oxygenator system.
• Evaluated surface modification uniformity, biomolecule stability, anticoagulant activity, and gas exchange capacity.

Main Results:

• Successful and uniform dual bioactive modification of the PDMS microfluidic oxygenator was confirmed using SEM and radiolabeling.
• The dual-modified oxygenator exhibited significantly enhanced anticoagulant properties in human plasma and whole blood.
• Surface modification did not impede the oxygenator's gas exchange capacity.

Conclusions:

• The dual bioactive surface modification using ATH and t-PA via PDA is effective for PDMS artificial placenta systems.
• This approach enhances antithrombotic activity through synergistic effects, potentially reducing the need for systemic anticoagulation.
• The modified microfluidic oxygenator shows promise for clinical application in treating neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.