Development of Calcification Resistant Valve Prosthesis

Calcification of blood contacting surfaces has been the key impediment to the development of polymevalve prostheses and other polymeric implantables. The deposition of calcium plaques as hydroxyapatiand potentially leads to valve dysfunction. That calcification proceeds preferentially along surfacestress only exacerbates the problem. This work is based on the hypothesis that calcification along farises from increased calcium permeability due to flexion stress/strain. Accordingly, modificationswhich can inhibit calcium adsorption and permeation, and which are stable to cyclic flexion will redof implanted polymeric components. To test this hypothesis, the surfaces of polyetherurethane disks,valved conduits will undergo modification by inert ion implantation and by ion beam assisted depositsialon ceramic. These methodologies alter surface properties at the micron level, but leave bulk polunaffected. In-vitro and in-vivo studies will be conducted to assess the degree to which calcificatibeam based surface modification (IBSM) and to establish the most efficacious of the IBSM treatmentsimplantation.