Hemocompatibility Assessment of Blood-Contacting Devices – Case study based on selected completed projects

Abstract

Heart failure remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and advanced stages often require mechanical circulatory support such as ventricular assist devices (VADs). Despite their clinical importance, long-term performance is limited by complications including thrombosis, hemolysis, and infection, which arise from complex blood-material interactions under non-physiological flow conditions. Achieving durable hemocompatibility therefore remains a central challenge in cardiovascular device design.

Recent advances in biomaterials and biomedical engineering have introduced multiple strategies to address these limitations, including additive manufacturing, nanostructured materials, and advanced surface engineering. This review focuses on two complementary approaches: stereolithography (SLA)-based additive manufacturing of photopolymers for fabricating complex blood pump components, and peptide-based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for molecular-level control of blood-material interactions. SLA enables precise geometric optimization and tailored mechanical properties, while oligoproline SAMs reduce protein adsorption and platelet adhesion under dynamic flow conditions.

Together, these strategies highlight the importance of integrating bulk material design with surface biofunctionalization to improve hemocompatibility. The review also outlines emerging trends in biomimetic design and intelligent, data-driven approaches for next-generation ventricular assist systems, aiming toward safer, more durable, and patient-specific cardiac support technologies.