ABSTRACT
Polyurethanes are the polymers most widely used in the construction of blood-contacting products and devices. This chapter begins with a general look at polyurethanes, including a discussion of how the properties of polyurethanes vary with respect to applied stress and temperature. Infrared spectrophotometry is applied to surface analysis-one of the most important parameters to consider, since it is the surface of the polyurethane material that contacts the blood. Biomedical applications are then studied, particularly with respect to the use of polyether urethanes in the cardiovascular field. Finally, the problems of blood compatibility are discussed, and various methods of altering surface characteristics to decrease thrombogenicity are presented.
