Protein adsorption and platelet attachment and activation, on TiN, TiC, and DLC coatings on titanium for cardiovascular applications.

The hemocompatibility of a TiN/TiC/diamond-like carbon (DLC) multilayer structure, deposited on titanium substrates for use as coatings for a heart valve prosthesis, has been studied through the adsorption of blood proteins and the adhesion and attachment of blood platelets. All of the surfaces were characterized by stylus profilometry and water contact angles. The adsorption of albumin and fibrinogen to the surfaces was assessed using the Amido Black assay, whereas platelet attachment was studied by scanning electron microscopy and quantified using stereological techniques. The degree of platelet spreading on the surfaces was seen to correlate with differences in surface energy, indicated from contact angle measurements. The greatest spreading was seen on the more hydrophilic surfaces. When studying protein adsorption to the surfaces, no correlation could be determined between contact angle results and levels of adsorption, although the most hydrophilic surfaces did appear to promote greater amounts of fibrinogen adsorption. Thrombus formation was observed to some degree on all of the surfaces, with the exception of the DLC coating. This coating also promoted less spreading of platelets than the other surfaces. The good hemocompatibility of the DLC coating is attributed to its hydrophobicity and smooth surface, resulting in a higher ratio of albumin to fibrinogen than any of the other surfaces.

Jones MI ，McColl IR ，Grant DM ，Parker KG ，Parker TL ... -  《journal of biomedical materials research》

Fabrication of Semiordered Nanopatterned Diamond-like Carbon and Titania Films for Blood Contacting Applications.

Nandakumar D ，Bendavid A ，Martin PJ ，Harris KD ，Ruys AJ ，Lord MS ... -  《-》

Fluorine doping into diamond-like carbon coatings inhibits protein adsorption and platelet activation.

The first major event when a medical device comes in contact with blood is the adsorption of plasma proteins. Protein adsorption on the material surface leads to the activation of the blood coagulation cascade and the inflammatory process, which impair the lifetime of the material. Various efforts have been made to minimize protein adsorption and platelet adhesion. Recently, diamond-like carbon (DLC) has received much attention because of their antithrombogenicity. We recently reported that coating silicon substrates with fluorine-doped diamond-like carbon (F-DLC) drastically suppresses platelet adhesion and activation. Here, we evaluated the protein adsorption on the material surfaces and clarified the relationship between protein adsorption and platelet behaviors, using polycarbonate and DLC- or F-DLC-coated polycarbonate. The adsorption of albumin and fibrinogen were assessed using a colorimetric protein assay, and platelet adhesion and activation were examined using a differential interference contrast microscope. A higher ratio of albumin to fibrinogen adsorption was observed on F-DLC than on DLC and polycarbonate films, indicating that the F-DLC film should prevent thrombus formation. Platelet adhesion and activation on the F-DLC films were more strongly suppressed as the amount of fluorine doping was increased. These results show that the F-DLC coating may be useful for blood-contacting devices.

Hasebe T ，Yohena S ，Kamijo A ，Okazaki Y ，Hotta A ，Takahashi K ，Suzuki T ... -  《JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A》

Surface properties and blood compatibility of commercially available diamond-like carbon coatings for cardiovascular devices.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between the surface properties and blood compatibility of in-use diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings for cardiovascular components. Commercially available DLC films were characterized with respect to surface topography and wettability, protein adsorption from human plasma, and platelets adhesion/activation. Fibrinogen (Fng) and human serum albumin (HSA) adsorbed onto the sample surfaces were in particular quantified as two of the main proteins involved in blood compatibility. A low tendency of platelets to spread and form aggregates onto the DLC-coated surfaces has been described and related to a low Fng-to-HSA adsorption ratio. This study provides evidence that the rapid and tenacious binding of albumin molecules to DLC materials tends to passivate the surfaces and to inhibit Fng adsorption, thus imparting thromboresistance to the carbon coatings by rendering the surfaces less adhesive and activating for platelets. Albumin preferential adsorption was ascribed to high chemical heterogeneity of the DLC sample surfaces. The DLC films tested present a favorable behavior as regards blood compatibility with respect to platelet thrombus formation by reason of their surface properties.

Fedel M ，Motta A ，Maniglio D ，Migliaresi C ... -  《-》

Fibrinogen adsorption and platelet adhesion to metal and carbon coatings.

Mikhalovska LI ，Santin M ，Denyer SP ，Lloyd AW ，Teer DG ，Field S ，Mikhalovsky SV ... -  《THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS》