Characterization of biomedical polymer surface interaction with human factor Xa

Two surface analytical spectroscopic techniques (namely, angular-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and static secondary ion mass spectrometry) were used to characterize the nature and composition of the surface and near-surface layers formed on three biomedical polymers (namely, low-density polyethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, and a silicone elastomer) when exposed to Factor Xa in a buffer solution under adsorption conditions. It is shown that the results extracted from the spectroscopic measurements are consistent with each other. The clinical significance of the results is discussed in terms of screening biomedical polymers for use in fabricating cardiovascular system components.