The thrombogenicity of a biomaterial is mainly dependent on its surface characteristics, which dictates its interactions with blood. Surface properties such as composition, roughness wettability, surface free energy, and morphology will affect an implant material's hemocompatibility. Additionally, in the realm of metallic biomaterials, the specific composition of the alloy and its surface treatment are important factors that will affect the surface properties. The utility of magneto-electropolished (MEP) ternary Nitinol alloys, NiTiTa, and NiTiCr as blood contacting materials was investigated. The hemcompatibility of these alloys were compared to mechanically polished (MP) metallic biomaterial counterparts. In vitro thrombogenicity tests revealed significantly less platelet adherence on ternary MEP Nitinol, especially MEP NiTi10Ta as compared to the MP metals (p < 0.05). The enhanced anti-platelet-adhesive property of MEP NiTi10Ta was in part, attributed to the Ta2 O5 component of the alloy. Furthermore, the formation of a dense and mixed hydrophobic oxide layer during MEP is believed to have inhibited the adhesion of negatively charged platelets. In conclusion, MEP ternary Nitinol alloys can potentially be utilized for blood-contacting devices where, complications resulting from thrombogenicity can be minimized.

Newly developed elastomer heart valves have been shown to better re-create the flow physics of native heart valves, resulting in preferable hemodynamic responses. This emergence has been motivated in part by the recent introduction of percutaneous valve approaches in the clinic. Unfortunately, elastomers such as silicone are prone to structural failure, which drastically limits their applicability the development of a valve prosthesis. To produce a mechanically more robust silicone substrate, we reinforced it with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). The nanoplatelets were introduced into a two-part silicone mixture and allowed to cure. Cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility tests revealed that the incorporation of GNPs did not adversely affect cell proliferation or augment adhesion of platelets on the surface of the composite materials. Static mechanical characterization by loading in the tensile direction subsequently showed no observable effect when graphene was utilized. However, cyclic tensile testing (0.05 Hz) demonstrated that silicone samples containing 250 mg graphene/L of uncured silicone significantly improved (p<0.05) material fatigue properties compared with silicone-only controls. This finding suggests that for the silicone-graphene composite, static loads were principally transferred onto the matrix. On the other hand, in cyclic loading conditions, the GNPs were recruited effectively to delay failure of the bulk material. We conclude that application of GNPs to extend silicone durability is useful and warrants further evaluation at the trileaflet valve configuration.