Extracorporeal devices such as blood filters & oxygenators are vital components in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) procedures. These systems play a central role in supporting patients with respiratory or cardiac failure. However, their direct interaction with blood introduces significant risks. Thrombosis, inflammation, and impaired gas exchange performance remain major clinical concerns.
To address these challenges, the integration of surface coatings that improve hemocompatibility is becoming increasingly essential. At Smart Reactors, our proprietary coating technology Camouflage™, is engineered to reduce thrombosis, support rapid controlled endothelialization, and maintain device integrity throughout treatment durations.
Challenges in Blood-Contacting Devices: Filters and Oxygenators
Blood-contacting devices such as blood filters & oxygenators face significant performance limitations due to the body’s natural response to synthetic materials. Upon exposure to foreign surfaces, blood initiates a cascade of biological reactions, including protein adsorption, platelet activation, and complement system stimulation. This can lead to thrombus formation and inflammatory responses.
In oxygenators, these reactions not only increase the risk of clotting but can also impair gas exchange efficiency through fibrin deposition, and clot accumulation. Over time, this degrades oxygenator function and may necessitate early replacement during procedures like ECMO or cardiopulmonary bypass.
Similarly, blood filters used for hemodialysis or hemoperfusion are susceptible to surface-induced clotting and immune activation, which can diminish filtration efficiency, reduce device lifespan, and increase the need for frequent changes. These complications not only affect treatment outcomes but also raise healthcare costs and patient burden.
Reducing the thrombogenicity and improving the biocompatibility of these devices remains a critical challenge in advancing extracorporeal therapies.
Coating Technology as a Solution
Camouflage™ is a non-pharmaceutical, hemocompatible coating developed to enhance the performance of blood-contacting medical devices. By reducing thrombotic and inflammatory responses and supporting rapid, controlled endothelialization, it promotes faster biological stabilization and may reduce reliance on long-term antiplatelet therapy.
Key Benefits of Camouflage™ Coating:
- Reduced Thrombosis: Lowers the risk of clot formation on device surfaces, supporting uninterrupted blood flow.
- Anti-Inflammatory Response: Reduces immune activation, making it suitable for prolonged blood-contacting applications.
- Enhanced Device Stability and Durability: Prevents membrane and filter blockage, preserving device function and reducing the need for early replacement.
- Rapid, Controlled Endothelialization: Encourages natural tissue integration to support long-term device performance and biological stabilization.
Advancing extracorporeal support requires more than mechanical improvements. It depends on controlling the biological response at the device surface, where clotting, inflammation, and membrane or filter blockage occur. Camouflage™ coating directly addresses these challenges by reducing thrombus formation, limiting inflammatory activation, and helping maintain clear, functional blood pathways over extended use. This leads to more reliable device performance, fewer complications, and potentially less need for frequent replacement or intensive anticoagulation.
Smart Reactors is committed to improving the safety and reliability of blood-contacting devices through surface coatings that work with the body, meeting the demands of modern clinical care.
Interested in partnering or learning more?
Explore our Camouflage™ Coating solution here or contact us for a technical discussion.
