Vertellus Biomaterials - Biocompatible PC Technology™ Coatings
Vertellus Biomaterials has an exclusive licence to supply biocompatible PC Technology materials in healthcare applications. PC is short for phosphorylcholine, the chemical name of the predominant polar head group found in cell membrane phospholipids. PC is zwitterionic; that is it contains both positive and negative charges but is overall charged balanced. The high polarity results in hydration of the PC group and this tightly held water layer makes it difficult for proteins and cells to irreversibly bind to a PC surface.
By virtue of its anti-fouling nature, PC materials have been shown to improve the biocompatibility and performance of medical devices through reduced:
protein deposition and activation
blood activation and thrombus formation
bacterial adhesion and biofilm deposition
inflammatory response
fibrous capsule formation
PC Technology is used in the manufacture of contact lenses, drug-eluting coronary stents, urological devices, soft tissue implants and in numerous other applications. Devices incorporating PC have been marketed in the US for over 12 years and the materials are the subject of FDA masterfiles. PC Polymers can be formulated to provide materials with a range of physical and chemical properties and all have demonstrated improved biocompatibility.
The table below provides an indication of the types of materials which have been commercialised.
