Visualization of platelet deposition in a flow chamber

Abstract The formation of thrombi is still a challenge when it comes to ventricular assist devices (VADs). This can be caused by the subsequent deposition proteins and platelets on foreign surfaces. In VADs, blood contacting components are mainly made titanium alloys due hemocompatible properties corrosion resistance. However, surfaces where mechanical contact rotor stator occur like bearing areas axial VADs require high wear resistance greater potential scratches. Therefore, an in vitro test bench optically investigate fluorescent labelled protein layer different hereby presented, aiming for five inorganic hard material coatings titanium. coating materials included Titanium Nitride (TiN), Niobium (TiNbN), Diamond-Like Carbon (Ionbond-Medthin-43 (DLCI) Oerlikon Balimed A (DLCO)) Wolfram Carbid C (WC). Uncoated (Ti) was investigated as reference. Heparinized human whole incubated with Mepacrine (fluorescent dye) then pumped through flow chamber defined shear rate conditions over samples. adhered were visualized via inverted fluorescence microscopy. analyzation green values binary image generated picture offers conclusions about platelet accumulation percentage covered surface area, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant lower TiN compared Ti no differences rest. It concluded that none these have higher than therefore point towards suitability components.