title: Immobilization of a biologically active coating on a hydrophobic L-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone copolymer.
abstract: The electron beam radiation induced grafting method was used to attach a reactive polyacrylamide (PAA) layer (20 wt %) on the surface of a biodegradable poly-L-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone (PLLA-co-CL). The biocompatibility of graft-polymer obtained was studied by cytotoxicity test and no signs of toxicity were observed. Heparin and sol-gel-produced silica-gel coatings were successfully attached on the top of the polymeric material produced. The amount of heparin immobilized directly on the surface can be controlled by reaction conditions: reaction time, temperature and pH of the incubation solution. By using acidic conditions, up to 98 microg cm(-2) of heparin was immobilized on the surface. The sol-gel-produced silica-gel layer formed by dipping technique was 30 microm thick and the cracking of the layer was minimal after bending several times to 90 degrees.
authors.affiliation: Turku Centre for Biomaterials, Tykistökatu 4 D (ElektroCity), FIN-20520 Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Säilynoja
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koskinen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salonen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Holmlund
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Södergärd
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koskinen