Hydrophilic hybrid IPNs of segmented polyurethanes and copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone for applications in medicine

The preparation and biocompatibility properties of thermoplastic apparent interpenetrating polymer networks (T-IPNs) of a segmented polyurethaneurea, Biospan™ (BS), and vinylpyrrolidone–dimethylacrylamide (VP–DMAm) copolymers, are described. The biological interaction between the obtained materials and blood was studied by in vitro methods. The addition of the VP–DMAm copolymers to form T-IPNs with BS substantially increased the equilibrium water uptake and water diffusion coefficients. Investigation of the proteins adsorption, platelet adhesion, thrombus formation and factor XII activation is presented. Investigations of the proteins adsorption of the BS/VP–DMAm T-IPNs surfaces show that the segmented polyurethane (BS) containing VP–DMAm copolymers with higher VP content adsorb more albumin than fibrinogen and γ-globulin. The platelets adhesion, thrombus formation and factor XII activation are effectively suppressed with respect to the segmented polyurethane when VP–DMAm copolymers with high VP contents are incorporated into BS as T-IPNs.