Covalently bound biomimetic layers on plasma polymers with graded metallic interfaces for in vivo implants

Abstract

Surfaces capable of covalently immobilizing a dense layer of bioactive protein may be used to stimulate desired cellular responses at the surface of an implant. Pulse biased plasma polymerization onto metallic substrates is studied with the aim of producing surfaces suitable for such biomimetic in vivo implants. Plasma polymers were formed that are graded from stainless steel to a pure plasma polymer to provide the exceptionally strong adhesion necessary for in vivo applications, such as in cardiovascular stents. We show that the use of pulsed bias during deposition enhances the density of free radicals and improves the covalent protein binding capacity of the surface, indicating that the fr..