Cellular approach to improve the haemocompatibility of blood contacting medical devices

A novel copolymer, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) when coated onto polyvinyl chloride tubing showed a significant reduction in the adsorption of protein compared to polyvinyl chloride tubing without MPC coating. Both experiments were performed under static conditions in contact with blood. The same experiment was repeated under haemodynamic conditions (exposed to flow). Thrombus formation was observed on the surface layer. The second approach was using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). An in-vitro pulsatile flow circuit was designed and developed to assess the effect of endothelial cell seeding on the outer side edge of the polyvinyl chloride. The PVC cubing seeded with HUVEC was exposed to 16 dynes/cm² shear stress for period of 24 hours, placed in whole fresh blood, and then fixed. Results expressed through a scanning electron micrograph shows a confluent tight-linked monolayer of endothelium is evident on the polyvinyl chloride and no thrombus formation was noted