Surface spectroscopic studies of Avcothane

Avcothane is a commercially available copolymer of polyether, polyurethane, and polydimethylsiloxane; it is used primarily in aortic balloon pumps. The pumps consist of three segments which are cemented or fused together to form the balloon. The objective of this work is to characterize the surfaces, inside and outside, of the three balloon pump sections. By using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA), ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) a detailed analysis of the Avcothane surfaces can be performed and comparisons between various surfaces made. Previous workers have reported ESCA and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) measurements of Avcothane and comparisons with their results will be presented. SIMS and ISS are useful analytical tools for studying polymeric biomaterials because these techniques are usually more surface sensitive than either ESCA or AES. SIMS and ISS data indicate that a thin fluorine-rich film (probably a fluorocarbon polymer) is present on the Avcothane surface. Signals from the fluorine-rich layer are more intense from the inside of the balloon pump and the intensity generally decreases from top to bottom. The outside sections of the aortic balloon pump also show the presence of fluorine, but the signals are far less intense than from the inside. One possible explanation for the fluorine-rich layer is that a fluorine-containing compound is deposited on the balloon pump during molding and preparation. Another possibility is that the layer is deposited during preparation of the Avcothane itself, but is essentially removed from the outside during sterilization.