Heparinized Bioactive Polymers for Biomedical Applications

The incorporation of heparin to biomaterials has been widely studied to improve the biocompatibility (blood and cell) of biomaterials surfaces. In our laboratory, various kinds of heparinized polymers including heparinized thermosensitive polymers ($Tetronic^{(R)}$-PLA(PCL)-heparin copolymers) and star-shaped PLA-heparin copolymers have been developed as a novel blood/cell compatible material. These heparinized polymers have demonstrated their unique properties due to bound heparin, resulting in improved biocompatibility. These heparinized bioactive polymers can be applied as blood and tissue compatible biodegradable materials in variable medical application such as tissue engineering and drug delivery system.