In vitro evaluation of phosphonylated low-density polyethylene for vascular applications.
The use of catheters for vascular applications is often complicated by the development of friction between the catheter material and the vessel wall, which leads to endothelial cell removal and intimal lesions. Phosphonylation, a chemical surface treatment, has been proposed as a means of increasing the hydrophilicity of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a commonly used catheter material, in efforts to impart lubricity to the material and reduce vascular tissue damage. In an in vitro tribological study, phosphonylated LDPE produced a lower coefficient of friction and allowed greater retention of endothelial cells on vessels as compared to untreated LDPE when the materials were reciprocated against normal porcine aorta. Chemical characterizations of the LDPE before and after friction testing involving Fourier transform infrared and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) confirmed the phosphorus content on phosphonylated LDPE. Election spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and atomic force micrscope (AFM) analyses verified that proteins initially adsorb to both the phosphonylated and untreated LDPE surfaces and that the proteins interfere with water to lubricate the surfaces. However, with repeated friction, proteins are removed from the surface and hydrophilicity, as imparted by phosphonylation, becomes a principal factor in the lubrication process.
Caldwell
Rebecca A
RA
Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, 501 Rhodes Engineering Research Center, PO Box 340905, Clemson, SC 29634-0905, USA.
Woodell
Jennifer E
JE
Ho
Sunita Pullela
SP
Shalaby
Shalaby W
SW
Boland
Thomas
T
Langan
Eugene M
EM
LaBerge
Martine
M
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000293:injuries*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D008153:Lubrication; D008422:Materials Testing; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013499:Surface Properties; D013552:Swine
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020959:Polyethylene