HYBRID BIOMATERIALS BASED ON THE INTERACTION OF POLYURETHANE OLIGOMERS WITH PORCINE PERICARDIUM

Hybrid biomaterials have been produced by the interaction of polyureth ane oligomers with both fresh and glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine pericar dium. The hybrid biomaterials so formed were translucent with occasion al white streaks and/or spots, had increased stiffness (to touch) but remained pliable. No shrinkage temperature was detected for fresh porc ine pericardium hybrid up to 100 degrees C compared to porcine pericar dium (similar to 67 degrees C) and glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine perica rdium (similar to 87 degrees C). Amino acid analysis of the fresh porc ine pericardium hybrid showed a reduction in lysine content after acti ve isocyanate-terminated polyurethane oligomers exposure, indicating c ross-linking between the polymer and tissue. Histological examination of the hybrid material shows a thin grey coating on both surfaces of t he tissue, implying at least surface cross-linking oi the tissue with polyurethane. The results suggest that fresh porcine pericardium can h e reacted with active isocyanate-terminated polyurethane oligomers to produce hybrid biomaterials with covalent bonding. (C) 1996 Elsevier S cience Limited