PI: William Federspiel / Ryan Orizondo
Title: Omniphobic coating of extracorporeal life support systems for improved thromboresistance (Subaward)
Description: The goal of this work is to use an omniphobic tethered liquid perfluorocarbon (TLP) coating to develop a highly thromboresistant oxygenator. Such a device would diminish the need for systemic anticoagulants during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and potentially reduce treatment complications due to both bleeding and thrombosis. The bilayer TLP coating is composed of a thin liquid perfluorocarbon (PFC) film atop of a molecular PFC layer that is covalently bound to the material surface. This specific proposal will focus on the optimization of the TLP approach for use on polymethylpentene (PMP) hollow fiber membranes that make up clinically used oxygenators. In aim 1, surface modification of the PMP fibers will be optimized to maximize the fluorine composition while avoiding adverse alteration of the membrane structure or gas transfer capacity. The University of Pittsburgh will be heavily involved in this phase by performing in vitro oxygen and carbon dioxide gas permeance studies on HFMs subjected various surface modifications. Aim 2 will evaluate various liquid PFCs for use with the optimized PMP surface modification from aim 1 for their ability to produce the maximal thromboresistant effect. The University of Pittsburgh will provide consulting on various methods of thrombogenicity testing based on our labs prior experience in this area. Aim 3 will evaluate the ability of the TLP-coated HFM fibers (optimized during aims 1 and 2) to maintain a thromboresistant effect under flow conditions relevant to the clinical use of ECMO. The University of Pittsburgh will design and fabricate the custom test fixtures needed for such evaluation as well as serve as a consultant on related methodology.
Source: National Institutes of Health
Term: 03/19/2021 – 09/18/2021
Amount: $53,172