Development and testing of radiation crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide) for sutureless anastomosis

Poly(ethylene oxide) is used to produce a biocompatible heat shrinkable sleeve with a low melting temperature (< 60 C) for a sutureless vascular anastomosis system. The following properties of the polymer are reported: gel fraction, thermomechanical properties and swelling ratio. Results of a shelf-life study based on gel fraction tests are presented along with experimental efforts to modify the hydrophilic properties of the polymer surface by radiation induced grafting. (author)