Polysaccharide-derivative coated intravascular catheters with superior multifunctional performance via simple and biocompatible method
Se Kye Park, Jae Hak Shin, Jae Hee Jung, Dong Yun Lee, Dong Yun Choi, Seung Hwa Yoo
Abstract
Antimicrobial, antithrombotic activity and low-friction functions are essential for the surface of intravascular catheters (ICs). However, the multifunctional surface, encompassing all of the above properties has not yet been realized. Here, we report a novel strategy for biocompatible and eco-friendly surface modification of the ICs with multifunctional polysaccharide, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC). Micro- and nanoscale porous CMC (p-CMC) layer was simply fabricated via a selective elimination of the water-soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG) from heterogeneous CMC/PEG composite. The p-CMC structure exhibited a significantly enhanced hydration rate and superhydrophilic property. In particular, the antifouling property of superhydrophilic surface showed excellent anti-adhesion of Escherichia coli and platelets along with the intrinsic multifunctionality of CMC, indicating a dual effect of our p-CMC layer: (1) intrinsic antibacterial and antithrombotic properties of CMC and (2) anti-adhesion of substances on superhydrophilic surface. Meanwhile, despite the rough surface of the p-CMC layer, it showed high lubricity and durability under continuous wet friction conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the actual p-CMC coated intravascular catheter (IC) provides superior trackability in a curved artificial blood vessel. The potential of the proposed coating strategy can be offered not only ICs, but also wide range of polymer-based applications including vascular filters, grafts, pacemakers and soft robots.