Nanostructured diamondlike carbon thin films for medical applications

Fabrication of Micro- and Nanopillars from Pyrolytic Carbon and Tetrahedral Amorphous Carbon

Pattern formation of pyrolyzed carbon (PyC) and tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) thin films were investigated at micro- and nanoscale. Micro- and nanopillars were fabricated from both materials, and their biocompatibility was studied with cell viability tests. Carbon materials are known to be very challenging to pattern. Here we demonstrate two approaches to create biocompatible carbon features. The microtopographies were 2 μ m or 20 μ m pillars (1:1 aspect ratio) with three different pillar layouts (square-grid, hexa-grid, or random-grid orientation). The nanoscale topography consisted of random nanopillars fabricated by maskless anisotropic etching. The PyC structures were fabricated with photolithography and embossing techniques in SU-8 photopolymer which was pyrolyzed in an inert atmosphere. The ta-C is a thin film coating, and the structures for it were fabricated on silicon substrates. Despite different fabrication methods, both materials were formed into comparable micro- and nanostructures. Mouse neural stem cells were cultured on the samples (without any coatings) and their viability was evaluated with colorimetric viability assay. All samples expressed good biocompatibility, but the topography has only a minor effect on viability. Two μ m pillars in ta-C shows increased cell count and aggregation compared to planar ta-C reference sample. The presented materials and fabrication techniques are well suited for applications that require carbon chemistry and benefit from large surface area and topography, such as electrophysiological and -chemical sensors for in vivo and in vitro measurements.

Recent updates for biomaterials used in total hip arthroplasty

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is probably one of the most successful surgical interventions performed in medicine. Through the revolution of hip arthroplasty by principles of low friction arthroplasty was introduced by Sir John Charnley in 1960s. Thereafter, new bearing materials, fixation methods, and new designs has been improved. The main concern regarding failure of THA has been the biological response to particulate polyethylene debris generated by conventional metal on polyethylene bearing surfaces leading to osteolysis and aseptic loosening of the prosthesis. To resolve these problems, the materials of the modern THA were developed since then.

Methods

A literature search strategy was conducted using various search terms in PUBMED. The highest quality articles that met the inclusion criteria and best answered the topics of focus of this review were selected. Key search terms included ‘total hip arthroplasty’, ‘biomaterials’, ‘stainless steel’, ‘cobalt-chromium’, ‘titanium’, ‘polyethylene’, and ‘ceramic’.

Results

The initial search retrieved 6921 articles. Thirty-two articles were selected and used in the review.

Conclusion

This article introduces biomaterials used in THA and discusses various bearing materials in currentclinical use in THA as well as the newer biomaterials which may even further decrease wear and improve THA survivorship.

Detonation Nanodiamonds and Carbon Nanotubes as Reinforcements in Epoxy Composites—A Comparative Study

A comparative study between detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as low concentration additives to epoxy composites is presented. The dispersibility of the different nanocarbons in resin solutions leading to uniform composite formation is also discussed. Significant increase in glass transition temperature was observed, which were 37 °C and 17 °C for DNDs and CNTs, respectively. Unlike the pure epoxy, the fractured surface of both composites showed resistance to crack propagation. Tensile properties of DNDs and CNTs composites showed enhancement of 6.4% and 2.9%, respectively. The nanocomposites also showed an increase in microhardness by 41% for DNDs and 12% for CNTs, and a decrease in electrical resistivity by 2 orders of magnitude, with the CNTs showing lower resistivity. In general, the DNDs were found to be quite effective and at the reported concentrations between 0.1% and 0.5% and showed superior enhancement compared to the CNTs.

Analyses of antibacterial activity and cell compatibility of titanium coated with a Zr-C-N film

Objective

The purpose of this study was to verify the antibacterial performance and cell proliferation activity of zirconium (Zr)–carbon (C)–nitride (N) coatings on commercially pure titanium (Ti) with different C contents.

Materials and Methods

Reactive nitrogen gas (N₂) with and without acetylene (C₂H₂) was activated by Zr plasma in a cathodic-arc evaporation system to deposit either a zirconium nitride (ZrN) or a Zr–C–N coating onto Ti plates. The bacterial activity of the coatings was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus with the aid of SYTO9 nucleic acid staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cell compatibility, mRNA expression, and morphology related to human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) on the coated samples were also determined by using the MTT assay, reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, and SEM.

Results

The Zr–C–N coating with the highest C content (21.7 at%) exhibited the lowest bacterial preservation (P<0.001). Biological responses including proliferation, gene expression, and attachment of HGF cells to ZrN and Zr–C–N coatings were comparable to those of the uncoated Ti plate.

Conclusions

High-C-content Zr–C–N coatings not only provide short-term antibacterial activity against S. aureus but are also biocompatible with HGF cells.

Nanostructured diamond coatings for orthopaedic applications

With increasing numbers of orthopaedic devices being implanted, greater emphasis is being placed on ceramic coating technology to reduce friction and wear in mating total joint replacement components, in order to improve implant function and increase device lifespan. In this chapter, we consider ultra-hard carbon coatings, with emphasis on nanostructured diamond, as alternative bearing surfaces for metallic components. Such coatings have great potential for use in biomedical implants as a result of their extreme hardness, wear resistance, low friction and biocompatibility. These ultra-hard carbon coatings can be deposited by several techniques resulting in a wide variety of structures and properties.

Improved interaction of osteoblast-like cells with apatite-nanodiamond coatings depends on fibronectin

New apatite (AP)/nanodiamond (ND) coating has been developed to improve physical and biological properties of stainless steel (SS) versus single AP coating. Homogeneously electrodeposited AP-ND layer demonstrates increased mechanical strength, interlayer cohesion and ductility. In the absence of serum, osteoblast-like MG63 cells attach well but poorly spread on both AP and AP-ND substrata. Pre-adsorption with serum or fibronectin (FN) improves the cellular interaction-an effect that is better pronounced on the AP-ND coating. In single protein adsorption study fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled FN (FITC-FN) shows enhanced deposition on the AP-ND layer consistent with the significantly improved cell adhesion, spreading and focal adhesions formation (in comparison to SS and AP), particularly at low FN adsorption concentrations (1 μg/ml). Higher FN concentrations (20 μg/ml) abolish this difference suggesting that the promoted cellular interaction of serum (where FN is low) is caused by the greater affinity for FN. Moreover, it is found that MG63 cells tend to rearrange both adsorbed and secreted FN on the AP-ND layer suggesting facilitated FN matrix formation.

Hydrogenated amorphous carbon nanopatterned film designs drive human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell cytoskeleton architecture

The interaction between stem cells and biomaterials with nanoscale topography represents a main route in the roadmap for tissue engineering-based strategies. In this study, we explored the interface between human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) and hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) film designed with uniform, groove, or grid nanopatterns. In either case, hBM-MSCs preserved growth rate and multi-differentiation properties, suggesting that the films were biocompatible and suitable for stem cell culture. hBM-MSCs responded to different nanopattern designs with specific changes of microtubule organization. In particular, the grid pattern induced a square-localized distribution of alpha-tubulin/actin fibers, whereas the groove pattern exerted a more dynamic effect, associated with microtubule alignment and elongation.

Carbon Coatings for Cardiovascular Applications: Physico-Chemical Properties and Blood Compatibility

Two different types of carbon coatings for cardiovascular applications were characterized both as regards to their physico-chemical properties and blood compatibility upon contact with human plasma and platelets. The samples were analyzed by means of a wide range of techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle goniometry, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Multiple tests have been performed to evaluate plasma protein adsorption and platelets adhesion and activation, and to investigate possible correlations between the surface properties of the materials and their blood compatibility. We proposed a similar mechanism of blood/material interaction for the carbon-based materials tested. It has been suggested that the characteristic wettability and surface heterogeneity of the coatings guide protein adsorption and retention onto the carbon surfaces, promoting a preferential, extensive and tight adsorption of albumin molecules, that in turn leads to surface passivation and inhibits subsequent platelets adhesion and activation.

Physical properties of ultrafast deposited micro- and nanothickness amorphous hydrogenated carbon films for medical devices and prostheses

Hydrogenated amorphous carbon films with diamond-like structures have been formed on different substrates at very low energies and temperatures by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) process employing acetylene as the precursor gas. The plasma source was of a cascaded arc type with argon as the carrier gas. The films grown at very high deposition rates were found to have a practical thickness limit of ∼1.5 μm, above which delamination from the substrate occurred. Deposition on silicon (100), glass, and plastic substrates has been studied and the films characterized in terms of sp3 content, roughness, hardness, adhesion, and optical properties. Deposition rates of up to 20 nm/s have been achieved at substrate temperatures below 100 °C. A typical sp3 content of 60-75 per cent in the films was determined by X-ray-generated Auger electron spectroscopy (XAES). The hardness, reduced modulus, and adhesion of the films were measured using a MicroMaterials NanoTest indenter/scratch tester. Hardness was found to vary from 4 to 13 GPa depending on the admixed acetylene flow and substrate temperature. The adhesion of the film to the substrate was significantly influenced by the substrate temperature and whether an in situ d.c. cleaning was employed prior to the deposition process. The hydrogen content in the film was measured by a combination of the Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering (RBS) techniques. From the results it is concluded that the films formed by the process described here are ideal for the coating of long-term implantable medical devices, such as prostheses, stents, invasive probes, catheters, biosensors, etc. The properties reported in this publication are comparable with good-quality films deposited by other PECVD methods. The advantages of these films are the low ion energy and temperature of deposition, ensuring that no damage is done to sensitive substrates, very high deposition rates, relatively low capital cost of the equipment required, and the ease of adjustment of plasma parameters, which facilitates film properties to be tailored according to the desired application.

Biomedical applications of diamond-like carbon coatings: A review

Owing to its superior tribological and mechanical properties with corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and hemocompatibility, diamond-like carbon (DLC) has emerged as a promising material for biomedical applications. DLC films with various atomic bond structures and compositions are finding places in orthopedic, cardiovascular, and dental applications. Cells grew on to DLC coating without any cytotoxity and inflammation. DLC coatings in orthopedic applications reduced wear, corrosion, and debris formation. DLC coating also reduced thrombogenicity by minimizing the platelet adhesion and activation. However, some contradictory results (Airoldi et al., Am J Cardiol 2004;93:474-477, Taeger et al., Mat-wiss u Werkstofftech 2003;34:1094-1100) were also reported that no significant improvement was observed in the performance of DLC-coated stainless stent or DLC-coated femoral head. This controversy should be discussed based on the detailed information of the coating such as atomic bond structure, composition, and/or electronic structure. In addition, instability of the DLC coating caused by its high level of residual stress and poor adhesion in aqueous environment should be carefully considered. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are thus required to confirm its use for medical devices.