Polycarbonateurethane Films Research Articles

Design of a new dual mesh with an absorbable nanofiber layer as a potential implant for abdominal hernia treatment.

Dual meshes are often preferred in the treatment of umbilical and incisional hernias where the abdominal wall defect is large. These meshes are generally composed of either two nonabsorbable layers or a nonabsorbable layer combined with an absorbable one that degrades within the body upon healing of the defect. The most crucial point in the design of a dual mesh is to produce the respective layers based on the structure and requirements of the recipient site. We herein developed a dual mesh that consists of two layers: a nanofibrous layer made of poly (glycerol sebacate)/poly (caprolactone) (PGS/PCL) to support the healing of the abdominal wall defect and a nondegradable, nonadhesive smooth layer made of polycarbonateurethane (PU) with suitable properties to avoid the adhesion of the viscera to the mesh. To prepare the double-sided structure, PGS/PCL was directly electrospun onto the PU film. This processing approach provided a final product with well-integrated layers as observed by a scanning electron microscope. Tensile test performed at the dry state of the samples showed that the dual mesh has the ability to elongate seven times more as compared with the commercially available counterparts, mimicking the native tissue properties. The degradation test carried out at physiological conditions revealed that PGS started to degrade within the first 15 days. in vitro studies with human umbilical vein endothelial cells demonstrated the double function of the meshes, in which PU layer did not allow cell adhesion, whereas PGS/PCL layer has the ability to support cell adhesion and proliferation. Therefore, the material developed in this study has the potential to be an alternative to the existing hernia mesh products.

Surface Modification of Polycarbonate Urethane with Zwitterionic Polynorbornene via Thiol‐ene Click‐Reaction to Facilitate Cell Growth and Proliferation

Herein, we grafted the zwitterionic polynorbornene onto polycarbonate urethane (PCU) film surface by a convenient route of thiol‐ene click‐chemistry. The PCU film surface was first treated with hexamethylene‐1,6‐diisocynate and subsequently with two different thiol agents (l‐cysteine and β‐marcaptoethanol) in the presence of di‐n‐butyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) to immobilize sulfhydryl groups onto the surface. Here, DBTDL acted as selective catalyst for the reaction between surface‐tethered isocyanates and amine/hydroxyl groups in thiol agents over that of free thiol groups. In the next step, zwitterionic polynorbornene (poly(NSulfoZI)) having functionalizable double bonds was grafted onto these surfaces by photo‐initiated thiol‐ene click‐reaction. The modified surfaces were characterized by water contact angle and XPS analysis. Moreover, the cytocompatibility of these surfaces was investigated by model endothelial cells, EA.hy926, for 1, 3, and 7 d culture times, which showed enhanced cell adhesion and growth. Therefore, the poly(NSulfoZI) functionalized PCU surface using l‐cysteine as thiol agent could be a good candidate for tissue engineering material application.

Modification of polycarbonateurethane surface with poly (ethylene glycol) monoacrylate and phosphorylcholine glyceraldehyde for anti-platelet adhesion

Poly(ethylene glycol) monoacrylate (PEGMA) is grafted onto polycarbonateurethane (PCU) surface via ultraviolet initiated photopolymerization. The hydroxyl groups of poly(PEGMA) on the surface react with one NCO group of isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and another NCO group of IPDI is then hydrolyzed to form amino terminal group, which is further grafted with phosphorylcholine glyceraldehyde to establish a biocompatible hydrophilic structure on the surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the successful grafting of both PEG and phosphorylcholine functional groups on the surface. The decrease of the water contact angle for the modified film is caused by synergic effect of PEG and phosphorylcholine, which both have the high hydrophilicity. Furthermore, the number of platelets adhered is relative low on the synergetically modified PCU film compared with the PCU film modified only by poly(PEGMA). Our synergic modification method using both PEG and phosphorylcholine may be applied in surface modification of blood-contacting biomaterials and some relevant devices.

Grafting of phosphorylcholine functional groups on polycarbonate urethane surface for resisting platelet adhesion

In order to improve the resistance of platelet adhesion on material surface, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) was grafted onto polycarbonate urethane (PCU) surface via Michael reaction to create biomimetic structure. After introducing primary amine groups via coupling tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAEA) onto the polymer surface, the double bond of MPC reacted with the amino group to obtain MPC modified PCU. The modified surface was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results verified that MPC was grafted onto PCU surface by Michael reaction method. The MPC grafted PCU surface had a low water contact angle and a high water uptake. This means that the hydrophilic PC functional groups improved the surface hydrophilicity significantly. In addition, surface morphology of MPC grafted PCU film was imaged by atomic force microscope (AFM). The results showed that the grafted surface was rougher than the blank PCU surface. In addition, platelet adhesion study was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. The PCU films after treated with platelet-rich plasma demonstrated that much fewer platelets adhered to the MPC-grafted PCU surface than to the blank PCU surface. The antithrombogenicity of the MPC-grafted PCU surface was determined by the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). The result suggested that the MPC modified PCU may have potential application as biomaterials in blood-contacting and some subcutaneously implanted devices.

Preparation and characterization of phosphorylcholine glyceraldehyde grafted polycarbonateurethane films

Phosphorylcholine glyceraldehyde (PCGA), the aldehyde derivative of L-α-glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC), was covalently linked onto polycarbonateurethane (PCU) surface in order to introduce biomimetic structure on its surface. PCGA was grafted onto PCU surface via three coupling reactions on PCU surface using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAEA) as spacers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and water contact angle measurements verified that PCGA had already been grafted onto PCU surfaces. In addition, surface morphology of PCGA grafted PCU film was observed using atomic force microscope (AFM), which showed that the grafted film has a pin-hole free surface which is rougher than the surface of blank PCU film. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation of the modified PCU films after treated with platelet-rich plasma demonstrated that much fewer platelets adhered to the surfaces of the grafted PCU films than to the surface of blank PCU film. The result suggested that these PCGA grafted polymers may have potential application as biomaterials for vascular grafts and some subcutaneously implanted devices.

Biomimetic surface modification of polycarbonateurethane film via phosphorylcholine-graft for resisting platelet adhesion

Phosphorylcholine groups were covalently introduced onto a polycarbonateurethane (PCU) surface in order to create a biomimetic structure on the polymer surfaces. After introducing primary amine groups onto the polymer surface by 1,6-hexanediamine, phosphorylcholine groups were covalently linked onto the surface by the reductive amination between the amino group and the aldehyde group of phosphorylcholine glyceraldehyde (PCGA). The results of water contact angle test, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) analysis of the modified films indicated that PCGA had already been covalently linked to the PCU surface. The topographies and surface roughnesses were both imaged and measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation of the PCU films after treatment with platelet-rich plasma demonstrated that platelets had rarely adhered to the surface of the PCGA-grafted PCU films but had mainly adhered to the surface of the blank PCU films. The platelet adhesion result indicated that the PC modified PCU films could resist platelet adhesion after grafting with PCGA, and that these PCGA-grafted PCU materials, potentially, might be applied as blood-contacting materials. Open image in new window

Grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) monoacrylates on polycarbonateurethane by UV initiated polymerization for improving hemocompatibility

Poly(ethylene glycol) monoacrylates (PEGMAs) with a molecular weight between 400 and 1,000 g mol(-1) were grafted by ultraviolet initiated photopolymerization on the surface of polycarbonateurethane (PCU) for increasing its hydrophilicity and improving its hemocompatibility. The surface-grafted PCU films were characterized by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, water contact angle, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy measurements. The surface properties of the modified films were studied in dry and wetted state. Blood compatibility of the surfaces was evaluated by platelet adhesion tests and adhered platelets were determined by SEM. The results showed that the hydrophilicity of the films had been increased significantly by grafting PEGMAs, and platelets adhesion onto the film surface was obviously suppressed. Furthermore, the molecular weight of PEGMAs had a great effect on the hydrophilicity and hemocompatibility of the PCU films after surface modification and increased with increasing molecular weight of PEGMAs.

Grafting of a novel phosphorylcholine-containing vinyl monomer onto poly-carbonateurethane surfaces by ultraviolet radiation grafting polymerization

An original phosphorylcholine (PC) containing vinyl monomer (compound 1) was grafted onto the surface of polycarbonate urethane (PCU) films by ultraviolet (UV) initiated polymerization. The vinyl monomer was synthesized from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and L-α-glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) by two relative reactions through the coupling of the isocyanate groups in HDI with the hydroxyl groups in HEMA and GPC, respectively. The existence of phosphorylcholine groups on the surface of compound 1-grafted PCU films was verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and water contact angle measurements. The surfaces of the grafted PCU films showed lower water contact angles than did the surfaces of non-grafted PCU films. Furthermore, the surface morphology of a grafted PCU film was observed using scanning electrical microscopy (SEM), which showed that the grafted polymer film exhibits a rough and pinhole-free surface. In addition, the blood compatibility of the compound 1-grafted PCU films was evaluated by platelet adhesion studies using the non-grafted PCU film as a reference. It was found by SEM that fewer platelets adhered to the surfaces of the grafted PCU films compared to the reference. The high PC-grafted PCU film did not show any substantial platelet attachment on its surface. These results indicated that these compound 1-grafted polymers may have potential application as biomaterials for vascular grafts and some subcutaneously implanted devices. Open image in new window

Surface Modification of Polycarbonateurethane by Grafting Phosphorylcholine Glyceraldehydes for Improving Hemocompatibility

ABSTRACTPhosphorylcholine glyceraldehyde (PCGA) was used as a phosphorylcholine (PC) group containing compound to graft onto the surface of polycarbonateurethane (PCU) film using 1,6-hexanediamine (HDA) or α,ω-diamino-poly(ethylene glycol) (APEG, Mn = 200) as a spacer, in order to introduce biomimetic structure onto the polymer surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis shows that PCGA has been covalently linked to the PCU surface. Water contact angle test suggests that the surface hydrophilicity has been improved after PCGA is grafted onto the surface of PCU film. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation of the modified PCU films after contacting with plasma-rich plasma demonstrates that platelets rarely adhere but a large number of platelets adhere to the original PCU surface. The hemocompatibility of the PC modified PCU film has been improved obviously after grafting with PCGA with PEG spacer.

Nitric oxide release from polycarbonate-urethane films containing copper(ii) complexes

Nitric oxide release from polycarbonate-urethane films containing copper(ii) complexes

Grafting Sulfoammonium Zwitterionic Brushes onto Polycarbonateurethane Surface to Improve Hemocompatibility

Poly(3-dimethyl(methacryloyloxyethyl)ammonium propane sulfonate) (poly(DMAPS)) zwitterionic brushes were grafted onto the polycarbonateurethane (PCU) surface to improve its hydrophilicity and hemocompatibility by Ultraviolet (UV) polymerization. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and water contact angle were used to characterize the chemical and physical properties of the modified PCU surface. DMAPS-grafted PCU films showed significantly high hydrophilicity owing to the high hydrophilic poly(DMAPS) zwitterionic brushes. The cytotoxicity tests revealed the sulfoammonium zwitterionic brushes modified PCU film had good cytocompatibility. In addition, the hemocompatibility of the modified PCU films was evaluated by hemolytic tests and platelet adhesion tests. The PCU films modified with zwitterionic brushes had a lower hemolytic index, showed effective resistance to platelet adhesion. Due to the fact that sulfoammonium zwitterionic brushes can improve the hemocompatibility of the PCU surface, this gives rise to its potential application as blood-contacting materials or devices.

Polycarbonateurethane films containing complex of copper(II) catalyzed generation of nitric oxide

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) is a well known potent antiplatelet agent, and its continuous release will effectively prevent the adhesion of platelets on artificial blood vessel walls. In this paper, polycarbonateurethane (PCU) with lipophilic Cu(II)‐complex (Cu(II)‐DTTCT) blending films were prepared and used as catalyst to generate NO from nitrite. The mechanical properties of PCU films blended with Cu(II)‐DTTCT were characterized by tensile strength measurement. The tensile stress and Young's modulus of PCU films blending with Cu(II)‐DTTCT increased, however, the elongation at break decreased compared with corresponding PCU films. The NO generation was investigated in vitro in the presence of NaNO2 and ascorbic acid in PBS (pH = 7.4) at 37°C. The flux of NO generation was quantitatively measured by Griess assay. NO flux and velocity increased with the increase of NaNO2 concentration, the concentration of ascorbic acid in PBS and the amount of Cu(II) in the films. The loss of Cu(II) from blending film surfaces was found during the in vitro NO generation experiments, which resulted in the decrease of NO flux in the second run. The PCU film could catalyze continually generation of NO for two days, which will provide a promising approach that enable endogenous NO generation on the surface of the medical devices. The generation of biologically active level of NO at the blood/polymer interface can reduce the risk of thrombosis on the implants. Polycarbonateurethane films with NO generation function may be used as high thromboresistant blood contacting materials or coating. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

Silk fibroin/poly(carbonate)-urethane as a substrate for cell growth: in vitro interactions with human cells

Silk fibroin (SF)-based or -coated biomaterials are likely to be endowed with structural and surface properties that render them particularly apt for biomedical applications. In this work we investigated the behavior of four different strains of normal human adult fibroblasts that had been seeded onto membranes made up of poly(carbonate) urethane (PCU), the surfaces of which had or had not been homogeneously coated with SF. Cell adhesion within 3 h to the SF-coated PCU films was 2.2-fold that to their uncoated homologues. After 30 days of incubation in vitro, 2.5-fold more cells had grown on the SF-coated specimens than on the uncoated ones. This enhanced cell adherence and hence growth on the SF-coated surfaces was coupled with higher cumulative rates of d-glucose (but not l-glutamine) uptake and of both lactate and interleukin-6 (IL-6) cumulative secretion. Conversely, human fibroblasts cultured on either type of PCU scaffolds never secreted any ELISA-assayable amount of three main proinflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α), and transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF- β1). Finally, when the metabolic activities were compared on a per 10 5 cells basis, it became clear that the adhesion to SF favored an initially higher consumption of d-glucose, a late higher release of IL-6, and an at-first more intense, but declining, extracellular assembly of type I collagen fibers. Overall, these results show that SF-coated PCU membranes represent a novel type of biomaterial that favors the adhesion, the growth and performance of specific metabolic tasks by normal human adult fibroblasts without eliciting any concurrent secretion of some of the chief proinflammatory cytokines.