We utilise pulsed AC plasma polymerisation to create thin films that either contain reactive acid functional groups (by deposition of maleic anhydride (MAH) followed by hydrolysis) or are poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-like in nature (by using diethylene glycol vinyl ether (DEGVE) as monomer). The MAH films were further modified with PEG chains using a two-step wet chemical method. For the DEGVE films the plasma power was varied in order to change the degree of monomer fragmentation and thus retention of PEG-like character. The chemistry of the surfaces was determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF SIMS). Significant reduction (up to 90%) in protein adsorption was achieved by the plasma polymer surfaces as determined using 1 2 5 I-radiolabelled fibrinogen adsorption experiments.

Grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is a common strategy for reducing nonspecific interactions of surfaces with proteins. We have used grafting at "cloud point" solution conditions that ensures maximum grafting density of linear methoxy terminated PEG-aldehyde (mPEG-ald, M(w) = 5000 and 30000). In an alternative approach, surfaces were modified with layers prepared from isocyanate terminated, star shaped poly(ethylene glycol-stat-propylene glycol) prepolymers (80% ethylene glycol, six arms, M(w) = 3000, 12,000, and 18,000; this compound will be referred to as "Star PEG" in the text). Due to the highly reactive endgroups, these molecules form a dense network on the substrate with a high polymer surface coverage. The two systems were compared regarding their ability to prevent unspecific adsorption of insulin and lysozyme. The layers were analyzed by ellipsometry, contact angle measurements, and XPS. Protein adsorption was monitored by surface MALDI-TOF MS and fluorescence microscopy. No protein adsorption could be detected on Star PEG coatings and on mPEG-ald 5000, whereas mPEG-ald 30,000 could only prevent adsorption of lysozyme but not of the smaller insulin.

A textile implant with surface modification for a high biocompatibility, and a drug release matrix is ​​arranged for incorporating and releasing an active substance on a PVDF substrate, wherein the drug release matrix containing vinyl monomers, wherein the drug release matrix comprising a protein-free surface which is free of bound proteins.

Density measurements of aqueous albumin solutions as a function of concentration and temperature are reported. The solvents were H(2)O, D(2)O, and a physiological H(2)O-based buffer. An anomaly of the density at very small concentrations of albumin in D(2)O was found. Furthermore, the partial specific volume of albumin is remarkably different in D(2)O and H(2)O. We attribute both effects to structural differences of the solvents. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.