BIOMATERIALS FOR BLOOD-CONTACTING APPLICATIONS

Consideration of biomaterials for blood-contacting applications should take into account blood-biomaterial interactions, factors influencing the blood response and evaluation procedures. Examination of blood-bi omaterial interactions indicates that relevant features are protein ad sorption, platelet reactions, intrinsic coagulation, fibrinolytic acti vity, erythrocytes, leucocytes and complement activation. Factors infl uencing the blood response to a biomaterial in clinical application ar e the biomaterial structure, the presence of an antithrombotic agent, the patient status as determined by the disease and drug therapy, and the nature of the application. Evaluation options for biomaterials are clinical, in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro, with ex vivo and in vitro pr ocedures relevant for biomaterial development.