Zwitterionic Polysulfobetaine Coating and Antiplatelet Liposomes Reduce Fouling in Artificial Lung Circuits

Abstract

The artificial lung has provided life‐saving support for pulmonary disease patients and recently afforded patients with severe cases of COVID‐19 better prognostic outcomes. While it addresses a critical medical need, reducing the risk of clotting inside the device remains challenging. Herein, a two‐step surface coating process of the lung circuit using Zwitterionic polysulfobetaine methacrylate is evaluated for its nonspecific protein antifouling activity. It is hypothesized that similarly applied coatings on materials integrated (IT) or nonintegrated (NIT) into the circuit will yield similar antifouling activity. The effects of human plasma preconditioned with nitric oxide‐loaded liposome on platelet (plt) fouling are also evaluated. Fibrinogen antifouling activities in coated fibers are similar in the IT and NIT groups. It however decreases in coated polycarbonate (PC) in the IT group. Also, plt antifouling activity in coated fibers is similar in the IT and NIT groups and is lower in coated PC and Tygon in the IT group compared to the NIT group. Coating process optimization in the IT lung circuit may help address difference in the coating appearance of outer and inner fiber bundle fibers, and the NO‐liposome significantly reduces (86%) plt fouling on fibers indicating its potential use for blood anticoagulation.

Epoxy silane sulfobetaine block copolymers for simple, aqueous thromboresistant coating on ambulatory assist lung devices

“…Cook K et al, [14][15][16] also recently developed several coating methods using 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine primer or a grafting-copolymerization technique with CB or SB polymer coating. While the polymeric or combination coatings showed significant reduction of thrombotic deposition, hurdles still remain regarding the feasibility of application to a commercial ECMO device due to the multi-step process.…”

“…While a PC polymer coating is already commercially available on an ECMO device (e.g., EUROSETS™), 11–13 degradation of the gas exchange performance and coating stability/durability for a long‐term period (over 1 month for an AAL) are still of concern. Cook K et al, 14–16 also recently developed several coating methods using 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine primer or a grafting‐copolymerization technique with CB or SB polymer coating. While the polymeric or combination coatings showed significant reduction of thrombotic deposition, hurdles still remain regarding the feasibility of application to a commercial ECMO device due to the multi‐step process.…”

Design Principles for Immunomodulatory Biomaterials

“…Also, highly negatively or positively charged latex particles enable thrombogenesis while hydrophilic, low-charged particles suppress thrombogenesis in platelet-rich plasma, , highlighting the need to balance ionic and hydrophobic interactions. For simplicity, however, a design principle is to use hydrophilic biomaterials such as poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(sulfobetaine) or superhydrophobic ones such as polysiloxane- and perfluorocarbon-based biomaterials to mitigate FBR. − Mechanistically, in hydrophilic biomaterials, a tightly bound hydrated layer can effectively impede protein adsorption and interaction with immune cells. At the same time, superhydrophobicity can successfully repel blood components, attenuating the adsorption of blood proteins.…”