Sulfated Hyaluronan coating of polyurethanebased implant materials

Abstract

Thermoplastic polycarbonate urethane elastomers (TPCU) are potential implant materials for treating degenerative joint diseases thanks to their adjustable rubberlike properties, their toughness, and their durability. We developed a water-containing high-molecular-weight sulfated hyaluronic acid-coating to improve the interaction of TPCU with the synovial fluid. It is suggested that trapped synovial fluid can act as a lubricant that reduces the friction forces and thus provides an enhanced abrasion resistance of TPCU implants. Aims of this work were (i) the development of a coating method for novel soft TPCU with high-molecular sulfated hyaluronic acid to increase the biocompatibility and (ii) the in vitro validation of the functionalized TPCUs in cell culture experiments.