Anti-thrombotic polymer surfaces modified with zwitterionic and fluorinated surface-migrating oligomers

For the development of anti-thrombotic biomaterials, blending a surface migrating oligomer (SMO) in a biomedical polymer has been focused as a promising alternative way to conventional coatings. In this study, novel SMOs with the polyurethane backbone containing zwitterion and fluorine were synthesized and blended it with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to confer synergistic anti-thrombotic performance through anti-fouling effect. Studies using elemental analysis, FT IR, H-1 NMR and ion chromatography demonstrated the successful incorporation of sulfobetaine and fluorine in the SMOs. The thermal analysis characterized PVC/SMO-blended films with varied glass transition temperatures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy represented high compositions of sulfur and fluorine atoms at the surface of SMOs-blended PVCs, proving that SMOs effectively migrated toward the surface during the film preparation. The SMOs-blended PVC films not only improved resistivity to the adsorption of albumin and fibrinogen but also inhibited the adhesion and activation of human platelets, meaning enhanced anti-fouling effect and thereby anti-thrombogenicity. In particular, the SMOs-blended PVCs with both sulfobetaine and fluorine were synergistically effective in the reduction in cell/platelet adhesion and protein adsorption. In summary, our results give a positive cue that the novel type of SMOs containing both sulfobetaine and fluorinated segments can be a promising material for anti-thrombogenic surface modification in cardiovascular applications.

Automated summary

The study synthesized novel SMOs with zwitterion and fluorine for blending with PVC, enhancing anti-thrombotic performance through anti-fouling effect. Results showed successful migration of SMOs to the PVC surface, improving resistivity to adsorption and inhibiting platelet adhesion and activation for enhanced anti-thrombotic effect. The synergistic effect of sulfobetaine and fluorine in SMOs-blended PVCs demonstrated promising potential for anti-thrombotic surface modification in cardiovascular applications.