Influence of spin finish on degradation, functionalization and long-term storage of polyethylene terephthalate fabrics dedicated to ligament prostheses

Abstract Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers and fabrics are widely used for medical device applications such as vascular anterior cruciate ligament prostheses. Several years ago, we began functionalizing PET using anionic polymers to enhance their biocompatibility, cell adhesion, proliferation functional performance Polymer functionalization followed a grafting-from process from virgin surfaces subject spin-finish oil additive removal under Soxhlet extraction remove residual fiber manufacturing oil. Nevertheless, with increasing time manufacture, stored without spin finish step exhibited degradation of oil, leading (1) incomplete surface cleaning, (2) degradation. Moreover, oxidizing agents present in the degraded prevented reliable prosthesis these fabrics. This study compares effects fabric/spin storage on fabric polymer across two groups: 2- 10- year old ligaments, 26-year ligaments. Strong interactions between after long times were demonstrated via yield; chemistry changed assessed by spectral analysis. grafting/functionalization efficiency was correlated atomic force microscopy, including roughness relationships grafting degree Young’s modulus. New modulus significantly decreased (to 96%, 1.6 µmol/g) reduced (29%) 10 (grafting ~ 1 µmol/g). As is mandatory biomedically applicable fabrication, assessing commercial longer various conditions (UV light, temperature) necessary understand possible impacts functionalization.