In vitro and in vivo study of ion-implanted collagen for the substrate of small diameter artificial grafts.

Ion implantation into the collagen-coated inner surface of the grafts was performed and evaluated in vitro and in vivo to develop small diameter artificial vascular grafts. He+ ion implanted collagen-coated grafts with a fluence of 1 x 1014 ions/cm2 inhibited platelet adhesion and demonstrated patency for 240 days in an animal study. The platelet adhesion test using platelet rich plasma (PRP) showed antithrombogenicity at the fluence of 1 x 1014 ions/cm2. Washed platelet adhesion test showed thrombus formation at the fluence of 1 x 1014 ions/cm2. The results suggested that plasma protein adsorption onto the ion-implanted collagen significantly improved performance of these synthetic grafts.