Polyurethane surface modification by graft polymerization of acrylamide for reduced protein adsorption and platelet adhesion

Surface modification of polyurethane by glow-discharge treatment and subsequent graft polymerization of acrylamide was studied. The modified hydrophilic surfaces were characterized by the measurements of dynamic contact angle and ζ potentials and examined for protein adsorption behaviour and platelet adhesion. Data from in vitro and ex vivo experiments indicated a reduction of protein adsorption and platelet adhesion for the hydrophillic graft polymers, the extent of which was correlated to polymer graft density.