Thromboresistance of graft-type copolymers with hydrophilic-hydrophobic microphase-separated structure

Graft-type copolymers composed of hydrophilic poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) as a backbone and a small amount of hydrophobic poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) as a long branch exhibit excellent thromboresistance. The interrelationship between the thromboresistance and microstructure of the graft-type copolymers as well as the water structure in the hydrated polymers has been investigated. It was concluded that both the structure of hydrophobic domain dispersed in the hydrophilic matrix and the water bound to the polymer may be responsible for the excellent thromboresistance of the graft-type copolymers.