Anticoagulant surface modification of titanium via layer-by-layer assembly of collagen and sulfated chitosan multilayers

Extracellular matrix (ECM)‐like biomimetic surface modification of cardiovascular implants is a promising method for improving hemocompatibility. In the present work, collagen (Col) and sulfated chitosan (SCS) multilayers were coated on pure titanium using a layer‐by‐layer (LBL) self‐assembly technique. The Col‐SCS multilayer growth was carried out by first depositing a single layer of positively charged poly‐L‐lysine (PLL) on the NaOH‐treated titanium substrate (negatively charged surface), followed by alternate deposition of negatively charged SCS and positively charged Col, and terminated by an outermost layer of SCS. Platelet adhesion in vitro, partial activated thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) assays were used to evaluate the hemocompatibility of the Col‐SCS multilayer coated titanium. The multilayer processed surfaces displayed reduced platelet adhesion and activation, and prolonged clotting time of APTT and PT compared with untreated titanium. Thus, the approach described here may provide a basis for the preparation of modified titanium surfaces for application in cardiovascular implants. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009