An introduction to blood compatible polymer surfaces for use in artificial internal organs

Abstract

While the body is a hostile environment for all types of polymers, an even more serious problem is that of thrombus formation induced by all foreign surfaces, including polymeric surfaces. This is a still largely unsolved problem which hinders the development of artificial internal organs. The thromboresistant materials presently proposed and used in artificial organs include heparinized surfaces and materials found to be thromboresistant in certain implantation cites. In this article tissue‐polymer interactions are first discussed and then followed by a discussion of blood‐polymer interactions. The mechanism of thrombus formation is presented and some of the possible interactions of blood with surfaces are suggested. Representative nonthrombogenic and thromboresistant materials are discussed.