Surface modification of Biomaterials by heparinisation to improve Blood Compatibility : 

Blood compatibility is mainly influenced by the surface properties of the materials. The interaction of the surface and blood leads to a blood coagulation which is not desirable for some medical applications. In order to create a blood compatible material with an anti-thromobogenic or non-thromobogenic surface, many theoretical hypotheses have been postulated. In practice, surface modification by utilisation of heparin is one of the mostly widely accepted approaches for improvement of blood compatibility. In this chapter, some of the immobilisation methodologies are reviewed and the effects of heparinisation on blood compatibility both in vitro and in vivo are also assessed including protein adsorption, platelet adhesion, thrombus formation and other factors which influence blood compatibility.