SYNOPSISWith the objective to develop both characterization methods and test systems for blood and tissue compatibility, some polymers, e.g., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and ethylene/propylene/diene-ter-polymer (EPDM) of different shapes, e.g., beads, films, tubes, fibers, tubings, and microtome slices, were grafted with a variety of 15 monomers in order to introduce hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and ionizable groups. The grafted surface was characterized morphologically by the surface area (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller: BET value), by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and by profilographic measurements. Surface grafting was controlled by frustrated multiple internal reflexion (FMIR)-ir measurements, by determination of the critical surface tension, and by energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDXA) combined with SEM. The EDXA-SEM method was found to be a helpful tool to characterize the homogeneity and penetration profile of surface grafting. The tissue compatibility was tested by implanting test samples under the skin of rats. Blood compatibility was determined via in vifm test systems based on the determination of single clotting factors. to the preparation of blood-compatible polymeric surfaces involves hydrogels or hydrophilic groups [5]. The second idea to introduce ionizable groups, especially negatively charged ones, is based on the knowledge of the anionic architecture at the vascular wall interface [63. Thirdly, surfaces with so-called LTI (low temperature isotropic) carbons (of Gulf Oil Corp.) and other carbons [7] and fluorinated polymers like polytetrafluoroethylene are known as materials with improved blood or tissue compatibility. Many

No abstract