The present book relates to the scientific records of a workshop held in Patras, Greece, in June 1989, under the auspices and with financial support of the European Economic Communities (Concerted Action EUROBIOMAT - Hemocompatibility - of the Medical Research Programme, Project: 11.1.212). This concerted action promotes the collaboration on science and technology on the particular field of hemocompatible biomaterials: exchange of experts, scholarships and scientific workshops within the EC-member countries and COST countries such as Sweden, Finland, Turkey, Switzerland. The first part of this monography refers to the oral presentations of the par ticipants. The second part gives the book its unique character: the scientific discussion on updated aspects of protein adsorption of synthetic polymers in contact with blood. This second part is subdivided into nine chapters where specific topics were discussed freely, open-minded and even controversially. This book intends to elucidate recurrent questions concerning the initial event when blood contacts artificial surfaces. Young investigators will consider this book to be appropriate to get familiar with the scientific background and the most relevant techniques and methods."

The demand for hemocompatibility is one of the fundamental requirements for a safe and sufficient application of artificial surfaces in contact with blood. Thrombus formation and infarctions of the capillary vascular system after blood-biomaterial interaction, as well as the activation of the complement system and the phenomenon of biodegradation, remain problematic areas. However, medical devices where large areas of artificial surfaces contact the blood of patients are applied in enormous quantities. In spite of the significance of this branch of modern medicine and some spectacular successes in therapy, organ support and organ replacement, clearly specified criteria and instructions for the design of devices and artificial blood-contacting surfaces do not yet exist. Standardized and generally-accepted test procedures for the precise quantification and validation of events at the blood-biomaterial interface are urgently needed: their absence limits safe medical therapy and the development of more efficient hemocompatible materials. This volume addresses the need for hemocompatibility standards by presenting the results of tests performed on the surfaces of the Reference Materials of the European Communities. Promoted by the EUROBIOMAT Research program of the European Communities in cooperation with the International Standards organization, this is a major contribution to the development of internationally accepted hemocompatibility test standards.

The present book relates to the scientific records of a workshop held in Patras, Greece, in June 1989, under the auspices and with financial support of the European Economic Communities (Concerted Action EUROBIOMAT - Hemocompatibility - of the Medical Research Programme, Project: 11.1.212). This concerted action promotes the collaboration on science and technology on the particular field of hemocompatible biomaterials: exchange of experts, scholarships and scientific workshops within the EC-member countries and COST countries such as Sweden, Finland, Turkey, Switzerland. The first part of this monography refers to the oral presentations of the par ticipants. The second part gives the book its unique character: the scientific discussion on updated aspects of protein adsorption of synthetic polymers in contact with blood. This second part is subdivided into nine chapters where specific topics were discussed freely, open-minded and even controversially. This book intends to elucidate recurrent questions concerning the initial event when blood contacts artificial surfaces. Young investigators will consider this book to be appropriate to get familiar with the scientific background and the most relevant techniques and methods."

The demand for hemocompatibility is one of the fundamental requirements for a safe and sufficient application of artificial surfaces in contact with blood. Thrombus formation and infarctions of the capillary vascular system after blood-biomaterial interaction, as well as the activation of the complement system and the phenomenon of biodegradation, remain problematic areas. However, medical devices where large areas of artificial surfaces contact the blood of patients are applied in enormous quantities. In spite of the significance of this branch of modern medicine and some spectacular successes in therapy, organ support and organ replacement, clearly specified criteria and instructions for the design of devices and artificial blood-contacting surfaces do not yet exist. Standardized and generally-accepted test procedures for the precise quantification and validation of events at the blood-biomaterial interface are urgently needed: their absence limits safe medical therapy and the development of more efficient hemocompatible materials. This volume addresses the need for hemocompatibility standards by presenting the results of tests performed on the surfaces of the Reference Materials of the European Communities. Promoted by the EUROBIOMAT Research program of the European Communities in cooperation with the International Standards organization, this is a major contribution to the development of internationally accepted hemocompatibility test standards.