Improved blood compatibility of segmented polyurethanes by polymeric additives having phospholipid polar groups. I. Molecular design of polymeric additives and their functions.

To improve the blood compatibility of a segmented polyurethane (SPU), 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer was blended with the SPU. The MPC was copolymerized with cyclohexyl methacrylate (CHMA) or 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (EHMA), and the MPC polymers obtained could be dissolved in the same solvent as the SPU (Tecoflex 60). The blended membranes composed of SPU and MPC polymers were prepared by a solvent evaporation method. A small amount of MPC polymer in the blended membrane leached out after immersion in water for 10 days. The X-ray photo electron spectra indicated that the MPC moieties were located at the surface of the SPU membrane blended with poly(MPC-co-CHMA). On the other hand, the poly-(MPC-co-EHMA) was located homogeneously in the SPU membrane. The mechanical properties of the SPU membrane, as determined by tensile stress-strain measurements, changed very little even after addition of the MPC polymers. Blood compatibility of the blended membrane was evaluated by blood-cell adhesion on the surface when the membranes were placed in contact with rabbit whole blood or platelet-rich plasma. The addition of MPC polymer in the SPU membrane dramatically reduced cell adhesion. It is concluded that the blending of the MPC polymer in the SPU membrane is an effective method for imparting nonthrombogenicity.