Controlled release of heparin from blended polyurethane and silk fibroin film

Polyurethane was blended with silk fibroin and heparin to prepare a heparin-releasing system. The release rate and the percentage of the cumulative amount of the released heparin can be controlled by the loading amount of heparin in the film, the composition ratio of silk fibroin to polyurethane, and the thickness of the film. The slower and more sustained release of heparin can be obtained by increasing the film thickness, the loading amount of heparin and the content of silk fibroin in the film. Thus the high bioactivity and long lasting antithrombogenicity of the raw heparin can be maintained for the blended film. The coagulation time tests showed that the composite film had good blood compatibility.