In vitro hemocompatibility testing of new materials for mechanical heart valves

Biomaterials with improved wear properties, high resistance towards breakin g, and better availability in comparison to the conventional material (Pyro Carbon) may result in heart valve prostheses with prolonged lifetime and im proved duality of life (no required lifetime anticoagulation). TiN-coatings as well as ceramic materials such as ZrO2, and alternative carbon surfaces are considered as potential new materials. In order to determine hemocompa tibility properties of these materials, a new test set-up without blood-air -contact has been built and successfully tested according to ISO 10993-4: 1 993 (EN 30993) within a first study for a series of materials.