Self-lubricating anticoagulant surface (SLACS) mimicking heart valve tissue for improving biocompatibility of artificial blood pumps

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) represents the most advanced modality of extracorporeal life support. The centrifugal pump head, a key component in direct contact with blood, demands excellent blood compatibility to ensure optimal performance. To address this requirement, a self-lubricating anticoagulant surface (SLACS) was fabricated on a roughened stainless steel substrate through physical adhesion and chemical bonding using a dimethylsiloxane gel (S-PDMS). In the blood sliding experiment, blood remained on 316 l stainless steel for 6 s but slid off the SLACS in just 0.64 s, demonstrating exceptional resistance to blood adhesion and superior blood compatibility. Applying SLACS to the ECMO centrifugal pump head significantly enhanced its anticoagulant and antibacterial properties, while also exhibiting excellent safety, stability and durability. The feasibility of SLACS as a novel coating was validated through static tests, computational simulations and dynamic experiments, offering a promising solution for improving the safety of ECMO therapy.