RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The TLP coating reduces platelet adhesion and activation and prevents fibrin attachment (Fig. 2).
To evaluate effects on platelet adhesion, polysulfone surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) after they were exposed to whole human blood for 30 minutes. These studies revealed
that TLP coating reduced platelet adhesion by 4-fold, compared to control surfaces. To evaluate the
attachment of fibrin, acrylic surfaces were exposed to whole human blood spiked with fluorescently
labeled fibrinogen for 90 min. These studies revealed that TLP coating reduced fibrin area by 6-fold,
compared to control surfaces. We extended our studies to medical-grade polyurethane arterial cannulae,
polycarbonate connectors and PVC blood perfusion tubing treated with a TLP coating and tested in a
porcine femoral ateriovenous shunt model. The TLP shunts without anticoagulation remained
unobstructed (patent) over 8 hours of 15 L/hr of blood flow, while 4 of 5 untreated control shunt occluded
completely within 8 hours. When bacteria were grown in TLP- coated loops of PVC tubing for 6.5
weeks, there was a 8-fold reduction in biofilm formation compared to control tubing.