Process for reducing the thrombogenicity of biomaterials

Abstract

Processes for forming a uniform, continuous coating of heparin covalently bonded to blood-contacting polyvinylchloride surfaces of a medical device are disclosed. These processes include coating the polyvinylchloride surfaces with an organic solvent solution of heparin complexed with an organic cation, and then exposing the coated surfaces to ionizing radiation to covalently bind the heparin moiety to the polyvinylchloride. The complex of the coating is formed from a heparin moiety and at least one cationic moiety selected from the group consisting of dimethylstearylamine, polyethyleneimine, benzalkonium, stearylkonium, and tridodecylmethylammonium; the complex is soluble in organic solvents and forms continuous and uniform coatings on polyvinylchloride. Advantageously, the heparin moiety can be bonded to the polyvinylchloride surfaces simultaneously with sterilizing the medical devices using ionizing radiation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.