POLYETHYLENE OXIDE STAR MOLECULES AS THROMBORESISTANT SURFACES

BLOOD IN CONTACT WITH AN ARTIFICIAL SURFACE CAN LEAD TO SHORT-TERM PLATELET DEPOSITION, ACTIVATION AND THROMBOSIS, AND TO COAGULATION VIA ACTIVATION OF THE INTRINSIC CLOTTING SYSTEMS. LONG-TERM EFFECTS MAY RESULT IN COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION. THIS RESEARCH CENTERS ON UTILIZING A NEW CLASS OF PEOP MOLECULES, IN THE FORM OF STARS, TO ACCOMPLISH TWO THINGS: (1) COMPLETELY COVER THE UNDERLYING SUPPORT MATERIAL SO THAT IT CANNOT BE ACCESSED BY ANY OF THE PRECURSORS OF THROMBOSIS, COAGULATION OR COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION. THIS SHOULD PRODUCE A "NON-THROMBOGENIC" SURFACE, BUT NOT AN "ANTI-THROMBOGENIC" SURFACE. (2) TO PROVIDE AT THE SAME TIME MOLECULAR "LEASHES" (I.E,, PEO CHAINS), AT THE ENDS OF WHICH ARE COVALENTLY ATTACHED A MOLECULAR SUCH AS HEPARIN WHICH WILL CARRY OUT A SPECIFIC INTERACTION WITH BLOOD. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A (POTENTIALLY) ANTITHROMBOGENIC SURFACE.