Projects / Programmes
Preparation of hemocompatible polymeric surfaces for biomedical applications
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.06.00 |
Medical sciences |
Cardiovascular system |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B000 |
Biomedical sciences |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.04 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Medical biotechnology |
Hemocompatibility, polymers, biomedical implants, plasma treatment
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
28480 |
PhD Ita Junkar |
Medical sciences |
Head |
2011 - 2013 |
288 |
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
90,753 |
Abstract
In the developed world cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death and they
present one of the world’s greatest health care problems. In Europe alone, the costs of
treating patients with this disease exceeds 200 billion euro annually (Report of European
Cardiovascular Disease statistics for the year 2008). Expenditure on Artherioschlertic
diseases is at the lead; these diseases cause a narrowing of blood vessels, which restricts
blood flow through the affected vessels. Treatment is usually carried out surgically; the
affected part of the vessel is replaced with an artificial one. However long term patency is
still poor, in most cases the artificial graft has to be replaced after two to five years, due to
undesired thrombogenic responses which occur on the surface. Insufficient hemocompatibility of the vascular graft causes thrombogenic reactions. Therefore the goal of the proposed project is to prepare hemocompatible surfaces of vascular grafts with a simple one stage procedure and to determine surface parameters which influence thrombogenic reactions. It is known that
biological response is primarily dependent on surface properties of biomedical material
which is in contact with blood, however it is still not clear which surface parameters play
the most important role for hemocompatibility. With plasma treatment it is possible to
alter surface properties and influence the biological response. The recent findings, which
are presented in the doctoral thesis »Plasma treatment of polymers for biomedical
aplications« and patent application (Metoda obdelave bio-medicinskih polimernih protez
za izboljšanje njihovih antitrombogenih lastnosti- presented in 16.2) , (I. Junkar, 2010)
show that highly reactive oxygen plasma significantly reduces adhesion of platelets (thus
lowering the possibility for undesired thrombus reactions) on cardiovascular grafts made
from PET.
A more systematic research is required in order to optimize the procedure for surface
treatment and to determine the main surface parameters, which influence on
hemocompatible properties of PET polymer,. Firstly we would have to study the stability
of plasma treated surfaces, as it is well known that plasma treated surfaces tend to age. It is crucial to optimize the storage procedure of plasma treated surfaces that are used for biomedical applications. Furthermore the focus of our research is also to determine the effects of aged surfaces on biological response as well as to determine important surface parameters which influence on adhesion of platelets and blood plasma proteins. Our preliminary results showed that the degree of crystallinity plays an important role on adhesion of platelets, therefore the influence of polymer crystallinity and biological response will also be studied. By optimization of plasma treatment it is possible to prepare surfaces with different crystallinity.To the present day it is not known which surface parameters play the most important role in triggering thrombus reactions, therefore the proposed study will be an important contribution to this field as well as production of blood connecting biomedical implants. The understanding of thrombogenic reactions on the surface of biocompatible materials is considered to be one of the most challenging scientific achievements. The main goal of the proposed project will be to optimise storage of plasma treated surfaces as well as to optimise the technological procedure for treatment of vascular grafts made from PET polymer.
Significance for science
By systematic research the effects of surface properties on the adhesion and activation of platelets were shown. Mainly the chemical structure and nanostructure of the surfaces were the ones that had the most influence on the interaction of platelets and plasma proteins with the surface. With appropriate use of plasma and discharge parameters it is possible to develop surface for specific bio-medical application. The work on the research project was done in tight collaboration with researchers from different fields and with different expertise, which enabled development of novel methods and devices for surface modification used in bio-medical applications.
Significance for the country
In Slovenia there is only small amount of research activities and companies which deal with bio-medical applications and even less of those who produce them. During the project we were able to show that plasma modification is an appropriate method to achieve antithrombogenic properties of artificial vascular grafts made from PET polymer. Patent on the method for modification of vascular grafts made from PET polymer was filled and granted. Thus possible marketing or establishment of high tech company is foreseen. The knowledge gained during the project will immensely contribute to the development of novel technologies for bio-medical applications, which today present one of the highest growing markets with high value added products.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
