Summary
Bioelectric charge transfer at the blood-wall interface may be a crucial factor affecting
thrombosis on implant materials. The in-vitro streaming potential test technique offers
a very sensitive, yet simple, means for observing this interfacial electrokinetic
charge phenomena. Particular attention to test control variables is required, however,
to obtain valid, comparative results. Due to the dynamic, changing nature of some
surfaces on the molecular scale, reproducibility of results is subject to question
and necessitates repeated runs to gain assurance of results.
It is demonstrated that this method of evaluation is an extremely sensitive tool in
the study of blood-surface inter-actions. Changes in streaming potentials are dramatically
revealed upon introduction of minute quantities of blood protein elements and drugs
affecting blood coagulation. The techniques for applying this test method to the study
of thrombosis are illustrated.
Streaming potential testing is a possible tool for realizing quality control in the
preparation of anti-thrombogenic materials for cardiovascular implants. It may serve
as a check, both on the formation of a proper surface and on the stability of this
surface under physiological environment conditions.