Plasma-Assisted Surface Modification of Polymeric Biomaterials

Abstract

It is obvious that the interactions at the surface of a material in contact with its biological surroundings are of signicant interest, in particular for articial implants in contact with proteins and cells [1,2]. e rst important feature is the enhancement in biocompatibility and the biointegration of the implant. Biomaterials are dened as substances other than foods or drugs contained in therapeutic or diagnostic systems [3,4]. ey were used in ancient Egypt culture, and examples of replacing missing human tissue with biomaterials such as articial eyes of glass or wooden teeth are known. However, nowadays implants are much more sophisticated and the demands much more stringent: only materials with limited risks with regard to rejections and complications are allowed to be implanted [5].