Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
Sulfonated polyetherurethanes, synthesized by the substitution of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% of the urethane nitrogens with propane sultone, were evaluated in this study. The water absorption properties are dramatically affected by the sulfonate content. The surface properties are also found to be influenced by the percentage of sulfonate incorporation. The blood-contacting properties, as determined by both an acute and chronic canine ex vivo experiment, show increased thromboresistance with increased propyl sulfonate incorporation. A unique characteristic of the highly sulfonated polymers is the negligible platelet activation and spreading observed using scanning electron microscopy.