A new haemocompatible phospholipid polyurethane based on hydrogenated poly(isoprene) soft segment.

A new haemocompatible phospholipid polyurethane based on hydrogenated poly(isoprene) glycol (HPIP) and 4,4'-methylendiphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) was synthesized using 2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)methyl-ammonio]ethylstearylphosphate (BESP) and 1,4-butanediol (BD) as chain extender. The bulk and surface characteristics of this material was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic viscoelasticity and tensile property measurements, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and contact angle measurement. This polymer possessed a hydrophobic surface revealed by contact angle measurement. The haemocompatibility of this polyurethane was evaluated by platelet rich plasma (PRP) contacting studies and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation using medical grade poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as the reference. The results show that this new polyurethane had relatively lower platelet adhesion and limited shape change for the attached platelets compared to PVC. The clotting time of the materials in contact with platelet poor plasma (PPP) was 99, 75, and 62 s and in contact with PRP was more than 240, 100, and 86 s for new polyurethane, PVC, and glass, respectively. This new phospholipid polyurethane is expected to have wide applications as coating or structural material for blood-contacting medical equipment due to its outstanding haemocompatibility and excellent mechanical strength.