Surface Modification Of Eptfe Vascular Grafts With O-Carboxymethylchitosan

O-Carboxymethylchitosan (OCMCS) was covalently immobilized onto expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) vascular graft using a photosensitive hetero-bifunctional crosslinking reagent, 4-azidobenzoic acid. 4-Azidobenzoic-bonded OCMCS (Az-OCMCS) was prepared by reaction between an acid group of the crosslinking reagent and a free amino group of OCMCS. Immobilization was accomplished by irridiating the A(3)-OCMCS coating on the substrate surface with ultraviolet fight. Electron spectroscopy and water contact angle were used to characterize that OCMCS had been bonded on the ePTFE vascular graft surface. The hydrophilicity of ePTFE was enhanced greatly by surface bonding with OCMCS. Platelet adhesion assay showed that the ePTFE vascular surface bonded with OCMCS demonstrated good blood-compatibility. (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.