Plasma treatment of the inner surface of polymer tubes for the improvement of their anticoagulant properties

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Abstract
Small‐diameter tubings from chlorinated polyethylene, polyetherurethane and silicone rubber were treated in a special plasma reactor using 1 kHz audiofrequency with rectangular characteristics with the aim to modify the inner surface of the tubings. Non‐polymerizable gases like air, N2, NH3 and CO2 were used as plasma gases to create suitable functional groups on the surfaces; hydrophilic monomers like N‐methyl‐N‐vinylacetamide and vinyl acetate were used to obtain thin grafted homogeneous surface layers. Surface analysis of the modified tubings was generally conducted by contact angle measurements, and ATR‐spectroscopy in the case of grafted materials. As a first test of the blood‐compatibility the activated and non‐activated partial thromboplastin time of human plasma exposed to the modified polymer tubings was determined.