Polysaccharide-derivative coated intravascular catheters with superior multifunctional performance via simple and biocompatible method

Antimicrobial, antithrombotic activity and low-friction functions are essential for the surface of intravascular catheters (ICs). However, the multifunctional surface, encompassing all of the above properties has not yet been realized. Here, we report a novel strategy for biocompatible and eco-friendly surface modification of the ICs with multifunctional polysaccharide, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC). Micro- and nanoscale porous CMC (p-CMC) layer was simply fabricated via a selective elimination of the water-soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG) from heterogeneous CMC/PEG composite. The p-CMC structure exhibited a significantly enhanced hydration rate and superhydrophilic property. In particular, the antifouling property of superhydrophilic surface showed excellent anti-adhesion of Escherichia coli and platelets along with the intrinsic multifunctionality of CMC, indicating a dual effect of our p-CMC layer: (1) intrinsic antibacterial and antithrombotic properties of CMC and (2) anti-adhesion of substances on superhydrophilic surface. Meanwhile, despite the rough surface of the p-CMC layer, it showed high lubricity and durability under continuous wet friction conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the actual p-CMC coated intravascular catheter (IC) provides superior trackability in a curved artificial blood vessel. The potential of the proposed coating strategy can be offered not only ICs, but also wide range of polymer-based applications including vascular filters, grafts, pacemakers and soft robots.