Recent advances in thromboresistant and antimicrobial polymers for biomedical applications: just say yes to nitric oxide (NO).

ABSTRACT: Biomedical devices are essential for patient diagnosis and treatment; however, when blood comes in contact with foreign surfaces or homeostasis is disrupted, complications including thrombus formation and bacterial infections can interrupt device functionality, causing false readings and/or shorten device lifetime. Here, we review some of the current approaches for developing antithrombotic and antibacterial materials for biomedical applications. Special emphasis is given to materials that release or generate low levels of nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is an endogenous gas molecule that can inhibit platelet activation as well as bacterial proliferation and adhesion. Various NO delivery vehicles have been developed to improve NO's therapeutic potential. In this review, we provide a summar

SUBMITTER: Wo Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4955746 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature