AVS 46th International Symposium
    Biomaterial Interfaces Group Wednesday Sessions
       Session BI-WeP

Paper BI-WeP12
Atomic Force Microscope and Surface Plasmon Resonance Investigation of Polymer Blends of Poly(Lauryl Methacrylate) and 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine-co-Lauryl Methacrylate

Wednesday, October 27, 1999, 5:30 pm, Room 4C

Session: Poster Session
Presenter: S. Clarke, University of Nottingham, U.K.
Authors: S. Clarke, University of Nottingham, U.K.
M.C. Davies, University of Nottingham, U.K.
V. O'Byrne, Biocompatibles Ltd, U.K.
C.J. Roberts, University of Nottingham, U.K.
J. Russell, Biocompatibles Ltd, U.K.
S.J.B. Tendler, University of Nottingham, U.K.
P.M. Williams, University of Nottingham, U.K.
Correspondent: Click to Email
In order to design new synthetic polymers for use in medical devices it is necessary to characterize the surface of the material to understand the interactions that occur when exposed to biological environments.@footnote 1@ Incorporation of phosphorylcholine (PC) into polymers has been shown to improve biocompatibility by suppressing unfavourable responses that occur on contact with tissue and bodily fluids.@footnote 2,3@ Polymers containing PC are currently in use as coatings for medical devices such as stents, catheters, or to fabricate contact lenses. As an alternative to synthesizing new PC-containing polymers, polymer blends offer the opportunity to investigate the surface properties of PC in new materials. Here, polymer blends of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-lauryl methacrylate (PmMl@sub 6@) and poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA) have been produced with varying ratios of the two components. The surface of the blends when coated onto silver has been characterised using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM), and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Analysis has revealed that the blends formed by the two polymers are immiscible and exhibit surface-segregation with nanometre-sized domains being formed throughout the range of the blends. The Pmml@sub 6@ is preferentially expressed at the surface of the blends leading to enhanced protein-resistant properties. @FootnoteText@ @footnote 1@ Davies et al, Chapter 4 in Biocompatibility:Assessment of Materials and Devices for Medical Applications. Braybrook, J (Editor) J. Wiley and Sons, 1997 @footnote 2@ Campbell et al (1994) Am. Soc. Artificial Organs J. 40 3 M853-M857 @footnote 3@ Ishihara et al (1991) J. Biomed. Mat. Res. 25 1397-1407.