Multimodal, Biomaterial-Focused Anticoagulation via Superlow Fouling Zwitterionic Functional Groups Coupled with Anti-Platelet Nitric Oxide Release

The functions of anti-fouling, zwitterionic polycarboxybetaine (pCB) and anti-platelet nitric oxide (NO) release replicate key anticoagulant properties of the endothelium. The two approaches, only tested separately thus far, were paired on gas permeable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes and evaluated for anti-coagulation. Uncoated PDMS (control) and PDMS coated with pCB were screened for fibrinogen (Fg) fouling followed by platelet adsorption testing to evaluate the effects of coating and/or NO using bioreactors. Bare or coated PDMS membranes separated sheep plasma (108 platelets/ml) and gas flow chambers within the bioreactors. Either 100 or 0 ppm of NO/N2 flowed through the gas chamber for NO release at the plasma/biomaterial interface. Surface-adsorbed platelets were quantified using a lactate dehydrogenase assay after 8 hrs of plasma recirculation. Fg fouling and platelet adsorption on pCB-coated PDMS were 10.40 ± 3.0% of control (