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Effect of surface modification on hydration kinetics of carbamazepine anhydrate using isothermal microcalorimetry.

The purpose of this research was to improve the stability of carbamazepine (CBZ) bulk powder under high humidity by surface modification. The surface-modified anhydrates of CBZ were obtained in a specially designed surface modification apparatus at 60 degrees C via the adsorption of n-butanol, and powder x-ray diffraction, Fourier-Transformed Infrared spectra, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to determine the crystalline characteristics of the samples. The hydration process of intact and surface-modified CBZ anhydrate at 97% relative humidity (RH) and 40 +/-C 1 degrees C was automatically monitored by using isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC). The dissolution test for surface-modified samples (20 mg) was performed in 900 mL of distilled water at 37 +/-C 0.5 degrees C with stirring by a paddle at 100 rpm as in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia XIII. The heat flow profiles of hydration of intact and surface-modified CBZ anhydrates at 97% RH by using IMC profiles showed a maximum peak at around 10 hours and 45 hours after 0 and 10 hours of induction, respectively. The result indicated that hydration of CBZ anhydrate was completely inhibited at the initial stage by surface modification of n-butanol and thereafter transformed into dihydrate. The hydration of surface-modified samples followed a 2-dimensional phase boundary process with an induction period (IP). The IP of intact and surface-modified samples decreased with increase of the reaction temperature, and the hydration rate constant (k) increased with increase of the temperature. The crystal growth rate constants of nuclei of the intact sample were significantly larger than the surface-modified sample's at each temperature. The activation energy (E) of nuclei formation and crystal growth process for hydration of surface-modified CBZ anhydrate were evaluated to be 20.1 and 32.5 kJ/mol, respectively, from Arrhenius plots, but the Es of intact anhydrate were 56.3 and 26.8 kJ/mol, respectively. The dissolution profiles showed that the surface-modified sample dissolved faster than the intact sample at the initial stage. The dissolution kinetics were analyzed based on the Hixon-Crowell equation, and the dissolution rate constants for intact and surface-modified anhydrates were found to be 0.0102 +/-C 0.008 mg(1/3) x min(-1) and 0.1442 +/-C 0.0482 mg(1/3) x min(-1). The surface-modified anhydrate powders were more stable than the nonmodified samples under high humidity and showed resistance against moisture. However, surface modification induced rapid dissolution in water compared to the control.

1-Butanol↗

Porcelain adherence to dental cast CP titanium: effects of surface modifications.

OBJECTIVES: A reaction layer forms on cast titanium surfaces due to the reaction of the molten titanium with the investment material. Such a layer prevents strong adhesion between titanium and porcelain. This study characterized the effects of surface modifications on cast titanium surfaces and titanium-ceramic adhesion. METHODS: ASTM grade II CP titanium was cast into an MgO-based mold. Castings were devested by sandblasting with alumina particles, and subjected to surface modification by immersion in one of the following solutions: (1) 35% HNO3-5% HF at room temperature for 1min; (2) 50% NaOH-10% CuSO4 x 5H2O at 105 degreesC for 10min; (3) the NaOH-CuSO4 solution followed by the HNO3-HF solution; (4) 50% NaOH-10% NaSO4 at 105 degreesC for 10 min; (5) the NaOH-NaSO4 solution followed by the HNO3-HF solution; and (6) 50% NaOH solution at 105 degreesC for 10min. Surfaces only sandblasted with alumina were used as controls. Specimen surfaces were characterized by XRD and SEM/EDS, and hardness-depth profiles were determined. All specimens were sandblasted with 110 microm alumina particles before porcelain firing. An ultra-low-fusing porcelain (Vita Titankeramik) was fused on the titanium surfaces. The titanium-ceramic adhesion was characterized by a biaxial flexure test, and area fraction of adherent porcelain (AFAP) was determined by X-ray spectroscopy. RESULTS: EDS analyses revealed a substantial amount (13-17 wt%) of Al on the control, and specimens modified with Methods 2, 4, and 6. XRD revealed residual stress in the titanium surfaces and corundum on the control, and Methods 2, 4, and 6 specimens. A new Ti(Cu, Al)2 phase was identified on the titanium surfaces modified by immersion in 50% NaOH-10% CuSO4 x 5H2O aqueous solution. Reduced residual stress was observed on Method 1, 3, and 5 specimens. No corundum peaks were detected on these specimens. Compared to the control, significantly lower (P < 0.05) hardness values were found for Methods 1-3 and Method 5 specimens at 20 microm below the surfaces and for Method 1-5 specimens at 50 microm below the surfaces. Significantly higher (P < 0.05) AFAP values were found for surfaces modified with Methods 2-6 compared to the control and Method 1, and no significant differences were found among Methods 1-6, and between control and Method 1. SIGNIFICANCE: Based on the results from the present study, porcelain adherence to cast CP titanium can be improved by the caustic baths used in the study.

Dental Casting Investment↗

Laser surface modification of hydroxyapatite and glass-reinforced hydroxyapatite.

Surface treatment of materials with excimer laser radiation often results in the formation of a rough columnar or cone-shaped surface topography, which leads to a considerable increase in the surface area. As a result, the search for a non-porous bioactive material with adequate mechanical properties and a high surface to volume ratio, similar to porous materials, which could be used for drug delivery in the treatment of periodontitis, justified assessing excimer laser surface treatment to promote controlled roughning of hydroxyapatite (HA) and glass-reinforced hydroxyapatite (GR-HA). A KrF excimer laser with 248 nm radiation wavelength and 30 ns pulse duration was used for surface modification. The laser treatment was carried out in air, using wide ranges of radiation fluence and number of laser pulses. In order to identify the physico-chemical changes induced by the laser treatment and the column formation mechanisms in these materials, the treated surfaces were characterised by laser profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). Laser processing induced the formation of a surface topography consisting of cone-shaped features. The constitution of the surface layer was also modified, as revealed by FTIR, XPS and XRD. This work has shown that laser surface modification increases the surface area of HA and GR-HA and is a promising technique to increase the reactivity and drug delivery capability of both materials.

Biocompatible Materials↗

[Improvement of blood compatibility of small intestinal submucosa used as engineering vascular scaffolds by nano-bionic surface modification].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of nano-bionic surface modification in improving the blood compatibility of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) used as engineering vascular scaffolds. METHODS: SIS films were obtained from pig and underwent nano-bionic surface modification with plasma initiation technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphological features, including water contact angle, of the SIS films after nano-bionic surface modification. Modified SIS films were immersed into human platelet-rich plasma for 10 s and then observed for the adhesion of platelet on the surface thereof. Another modified SIS films were immersed into anticoagulant human blood to test the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and thrombin time (TT). Twenty dogs were randomly divided into 2 equal groups to undergo cutting of bilateral femoral arteries and anastomosis with tube-like scaffolds made of modified or un-modified SIS films. Color Doppler ultrasonography was used to examine the blood flow 1, 3, and 6 weeks after operation. The dogs were killed in batches 2 and 6 weeks after operation to take out the SIS vessels to observe the existence of mural thrombus and undergo microscopy. RESULTS: SEM showed island-like and groove-like surface morphology in the modified SIS films, and the water contact angle decreased from 105.3 degrees to 62.0 degrees. After treatment by anticoagulant human blood the PT, APTT, and TT of the modified SIS films increased from 30.5 s, 9.8 s, and 13.6 s to 81.5 s, 39.6 s, and 50.2 s respectively. SEM showed that the number of adhering platelets was less on the surface of the modified SIS films than on the surface of un-modified SIS films. Animal experiment showed that 4 blood vessels anastomosed with un-modified SIS tube became completely thrombosed within 3 hours, and the other 6 became completely thrombosed 3 days later, and the 10 blood vessels anastomosed with modified SIS tube remained patent till 6 weeks after operation. Gross observation showed that the implanted scaffolds made of modified SIS films had become biological tube-like 2 weeks after operation, and became integrated tubes with their inner walls covered with endothelial cells 6 weeks post-operatively. CONCLUSION: Nano-bionic surface modified SIS film possesses good and persistent antithrombogenicity and shows excellent blood compatibility.

Animals↗

Effect of passivation and surface modification on the dissolution behavior and nano-surface characteristics of Ti-6Al-4V in Hank/EDTA solution.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of passivation treatment (34% nitric acid passivation, 400 ( composite function)C heated in air, and aged in 100 ( composite function)C de-ionized water) and surface modification (2 hr and 8 hr vacuum-brazed treatments) on the ion dissolution and nano-surface characteristics of Ti-6Al-4V exposed in Hank's solution with 8.0 mM ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) at 37 ( composite function)C. The results indicated that the original nano-surface characteristics and microstructure would influence the ion dissolution but not change the capability of the Ca and P adsorption upon immersion. Of the three passivated treatments, 400 ( composite function)C thermal treatment for both 2 hr brazed Ti-6Al-4V (B2) and 8 hr brazed Ti-6Al-4V (B8) exhibits a substantial reduction in the constituent release compared to the acid passivated and water aged treatment, because the thicker thickness and rutile structure of surface oxide could provide the better dissolution resistance for 400 ( composite function)C-treated specimens. Moreover, the reduced Ti(2)Cu and increased alpha -titanium structure in B8 specimen could also improve ion dissolution resistance in comparison with B2 specimen. After soaking in Hank/EDTA solution, the adsorbed non-elemental Ca and P for all groups of specimens were observed by XPS analysis, and the AES depth-profile analysis indicate that the oxide films of all groups of specimens thicken with the longer immersion periods. The increasing oxide thickness may be the factor in the improved dissolution resistance at the longer immersion periods. The relation between lower dissolution rate and thicker oxide films were observed for all groups of specimens. The results suggest that the dissolution kinetics was governed by the metal ion transport through the oxide film in this study.

Air↗

Spatially controlled cell adhesion via micropatterned surface modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane).

Spatial control of cell growth on surfaces can be achieved by the selective deposition of molecules that influence cell adhesion. The fabrication of such substrates often relies upon photolithography and requires complex surface chemistry to anchor adhesive and inhibitory molecules. The production of simple, cost-effective substrates for cell patterning would benefit numerous areas of bioanalytical research including tissue engineering and biosensor development. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is routinely used as a biomedical implant material and as a substrate for microfluidic device fabrication; however, the low surface energy and hydrophobic nature of PDMS inhibits its bioactivity. We present a method for the surface modification of PDMS to promote localized cell adhesion and proliferation. Thin metal films are deposited onto PDMS through a physical mask in the presence of a gaseous plasma. This treatment generates topographical and chemical modifications of the polymer surface. Removal of the deposited metal exposes roughened PDMS regions enriched with hydrophilic oxygen-containing species. The morphology and chemical composition of the patterned substrates were assessed by optical and atomic force microscopies as well as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We observed a direct correlation between the surface modification of PDMS and the micropatterned adhesion of fibroblast cells. This simple protocol generates inexpensive, single-component substrates capable of directing cell attachment and growth.

Animals↗

[Photochemical immobilization--a new approach to surface modification of medical polymer materials].

The present paper reviews the approach of surface modification of medical polymer materials-photochemical immobilization. The approach is dramatically different from any other surface modification process available for medical materials. The topics include the principle of photochemical immobilization, the fundamental classification photoreactive groups and the typical applications of photochemical surface modification.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Influence of surface modifications to titanium on antibacterial activity in vitro.

The antibacterial effect of surface modifications to titanium on Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 43718 was evaluated. Surface modifications were performed with dry processes including ion implantation (Ca+, N+, F+), oxidation (anode oxidation, titania spraying), ion plating (TiN, alumina), and ion beam mixing (Ag, Sn, Zn, Pt) with Ar+ on polished pure titanium plates. F+-implanted specimens significantly inhibited the growth of both P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans than the polished titanium. The other surface-modified specimens did not exhibit effective antibacterial activity against both bacteria. No release of the fluorine ion was detected from F-implanted specimens under dissolution testing. This result and the characterization of the F+-implanted surfaces suggested that the possible antibacterial mechanism of the F+-implanted specimen was caused by the formation of a metal fluoride complex on the surfaces. In addition, F+-implanted surfaces did not inhibit the proliferation of fibroblast L929-cells. These findings indicate that surface modification by means of a dry process is useful in providing antibacterial activity of oral bacteria to titanium implants exposed to the oral cavity.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans↗

Permanent surface modification of polymeric capillary electrophoresis microchips for protein and peptide analysis.

Because of their surface heterogeneity, proteins readily adsorb on polymeric substrates via various interactions, which adversely affects the performance of polymeric microfluidic devices in electrophoresis-based protein/peptide analysis. Therefore, it is necessary to use surface modification techniques such as dynamic coating or more complicated permanent surface modification, which has broader application and better performance, to render the polymeric microchannels protein-resistant. This manuscript is a review of the surface chemistry of microfluidic devices used for electrophoretic separations of proteins and peptides. The structural complexity of proteins as it relates to adsorption is described, followed by a review of the mechanisms and structural characteristics of protein-resistant surfaces. Permanent surface modification techniques used in grafting protein-resistant materials onto the surfaces of electrophoresis microchannels fabricated from polymer substrates are summarized and successful examples are presented.

Electrophoresis, Capillary↗

Surface modification of confined microgeometries via vapor-deposited polymer coatings.

The development of generally applicable protocols for the surface modification of complex substrates has emerged as one of the key challenges in biotechnology. The use of vapor-deposited polymer coatings may provide an appealing alternative to the currently employed arsenal of surface modification methods consisting mainly of wet-chemical approaches. Herein, we demonstrate the usefulness of chemical vapor deposition polymerization for surface modification in confined microgeometries with both nonfunctionalized and functionalized poly(p-xylylenes). For a diverse group of polymer coatings, homogeneous surface coverage of different microgeometries featuring aspect ratios as high as 37 has been demonstrated based on optical microscopy and imaging X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, height profiles of deposited polymer footprints were obtained by atomic force microscopy and imaging ellipsometry indicating continuous transport and deposition throughout the entire microchannels. Finally, the ability of reactive coatings to support chemical binding of biological ligands, when deposited in previously assembled microchannels, is demonstrated, verifying the usefulness of the CVD coatings for applications in micro/nanofluidics, where surface modifications with stable and designable biointerfaces are essential. The fact that reactive coatings can be deposited within confined microenvironments exhibits an important step toward new device architectures with potential relevance to bioanalytical, medical, or "BioMEMS" applications.

Biotin↗

Surface modification of interconnected porous scaffolds.

Surface properties of scaffolds play an important role in cell adhesion and growth. Biodegradable poly(alpha-hydroxy acids) have been widely used as scaffolding materials for tissue engineering; however, the lack of functional groups is a limitation. In this work, gelatin was successfully immobilized onto the surface of poly(alpha-hydroxy acids) films and porous scaffolds by a new entrapment process. The surface composition and properties were examined using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and contact angle measurements. Control over the amount of entrapped gelatin was achieved by varying the solvent composition, the duration of soaking, the concentration of gelatin in solution, and chemical crosslinking. The amount of entrapped gelatin increased with the ratio of dioxane/water in the solvent mixture used. Chemical crosslinking after physical entrapment considerably increased the amount of retained gelatin on the surface of poly(alpha-hydroxy acids). Osteoblasts were cultured on these films and scaffolds. The surface modification significantly improved cell attachment and proliferation. Cell numbers on the surface-modified films and scaffolds were significantly higher than those on controls 4 h and 1 day after cell seeding. The osteoblasts showed higher proliferation on surface-modified scaffolds than on the control during 4 weeks of in vitro cultivation. More collagen fibers and other cell secretions were deposited on the surface-modified scaffolds than on the control scaffolds. This novel surface treatment strategy provides a convenient and universal way to modify the surface properties of three-dimensional scaffolds and thus promote cell adhesion and proliferation for tissue engineering.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Surface modification of intraocular lenses to reduce corneal endothelial damage.

Two methods of surface modification of PMMA, permanent and temporary, were investigated for use on intraocular lenses to reduce corneal endothelial damage due to corneal-IOL touch. Monomer grafting using gamma irradiation was found to produce permanently hydrophilic surfaces. Temporary surface modifications developed and tested were peelable and dissolvable coatings. Test samples were touched to freshly excised rabbit corneas to evaluate the effectiveness of the various surface modifications in reducing endothelial cell damage. This touch testing was performed using static testing in which the test sample was touched to the cornea without movement and dynamic testing in which there was relative movement between the cornea and the test sample. While unmodified PMMA did significant cell damage in both static and dynamic tests perpamently modified (hydrophilic grafted) surfaces were found to perform well in the static, but not in the dynamic tests. Dissolvable coatings performed well in both tests, even with very thin coatings. There was little differentiation between the various water-soluble coatings tested. Due to its characteristics and rate of dissolution, polyvinyl alcohol appears to be an optimum material for coating IOLs. A series of in vitro and in vivo tests performed to assess its safety indicate that PVA is nontoxic and safe in animal eyes.

Animals↗

Surface modification of polyurethane heart valves: effects on fatigue life and calcification.

Polyurethane heart valves can be functionally durable with minimal calcification, in vitro. In vivo, these characteristics will depend on the resistance of the polyurethane to thrombogenesis and biodegradation. Surface modification may improve the polyurethane in these respects, but may adversely affect calcification and durability. This study investigates the effects of surface modifications of two polyurethane heart valves (PEU and PEUE) on their in vitro fatigue and calcification behaviour. Modifications included heparin, taurine, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and polyethylene oxide (PEO). Neither hydrodynamic function nor leaflet thickness distribution was significantly altered by surface modification. PEO-modification was detrimental to valve fatigue durability and calcification. Heparin, taurine or aminosilane modifications of PEU valves increased durability. Aminosilane modification of PEUE valves increased durability compared with PEO modification. Appropriate surface modification may be useful to improve blood compatibility of implantable polyurethanes, and may also be advantageous as regards fatigue durability of flexing materials in longterm applications.

Analysis of Variance↗

Comparison of surface modification and solid dispersion techniques for drug dissolution.

Surface modification and solid dispersion formulations using hydrophilic excipients can significantly alter the dissolution behaviour of hydrophobic drug materials. The effect of these techniques used individually and in combination on the dissolution properties of the hydrophobic drug, phenylbutazone (PB), are compared. PB was treated with a poloxamer, Synperonic((R)) F127 by an adsorption method. Solid dispersions (10 and 20% w/w) were prepared with untreated PB or PB previously modified with Synperonic((R)) F127 (PBT) in molten F127. Dissolution tests of capsule formulations of PB, PBT and solid dispersion formulations, in pH 6.4 buffer at 37+/-0.5 degrees C demonstrated that after 140 min, release of PB was 16.7%, but 71.4% from the solid dispersion, whereas from the PBT formulation 85.6% was released. The Synperonic((R)) F127 content of PBT was only 0.05% of that in the solid dispersion formulation which suggests that it is the nature of the drug polymer contact rather than the amount of polymer which is more critical in influencing dissolution behaviour. Comparison of PBT and the 10% w/w solid dispersion of PBT in F127 showed similar amounts of drug in solution after 140 min. However there was a significantly higher release rate for PBT. Both formulation techniques offer significant improvements in drug release over untreated PB, and a combination of techniques changes the rate but not the extent of release in comparison with the surface modification technique alone.

Adsorption↗

Surface modification on microfluidic devices with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymers for reducing unfavorable protein adsorption.

Surface modification of polymer materials for preparing microfluidic devices including poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) was investigated with phospholipids polymers such as poly(2-methacryloyloxylethyl phosphorylcholine(MPC)-co-n-butyl methacrylate) (PMB) and poly(MPC-co-2-ethylhexyl methacrylate-co-2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PMED). The hydrophilicity of every surface on the polymer materials modified with these MPC polymers increased and the value of zeta-potential became close to zero. The protein adsorption on the polymer materials with and without the surface modification was evaluated using a protein mixture of human plasma fibrinogen and serum albumin. Amount of proteins adsorbed on these polymeric materials showed significant reduction by the surface modification with the MPC polymers compared to the uncoated surfaces ranging from 56 to 90%. Furthermore, we successfully prepared PDMS-based microchannel which was modified by simple coating with the PMB and PMED. The modified microchannel also revealed a significant reduction of adsorption of serum albumin. We conclude that the MPC polymers are useful for reducing unfavorable protein adsorption on microfluidic devices.

Adsorption↗

Surface modification to improve in vitro attachment and proliferation of human urinary tract cells.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the attachment and proliferation of cultured human urinary tract cells to culture plates surface-modified by photochemical immobilization of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human uroepithelial (UEC) and smooth muscle (SMC) cells were harvested from ureter and expanded in culture; 24-well culture plates surface-modified by photochemical covalent immobilization of ECM proteins were then seeded with UEC or SMC. To characterize cellular attachment, cells were incubated on surface-modified plates for 30 and 90 min. For proliferation assays the cells were incubated for 3-12 days. Standard tissue culture plates with no surface modification and sham-modified plates served as controls. Differential attachment and proliferation on the various surfaces were assessed using analysis of variance with Fisher's posthoc test for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Attachment at 30 and 90 min of both UEC and SMC on plates surface-modified with ECM proteins was significantly greater than in control plates. Surface-modification with collagen resulted in significantly greater cellular attachment than with either laminin or fibronectin. UEC proliferation was also significantly greater than in control plates by surface-modification with collagen and fibronectin, but not with laminin. SMC proliferation was significantly better after surface modification than on sham- modified plates, but was no better than standard plates. CONCLUSIONS: Covalent photochemical immobilization of ECM proteins to potential growth surfaces enhances the attachment of cultured UEC and SMC and the proliferation of UEC. This technique might be useful in modifying surface properties of synthetic polymer-based materials in a controlled and defined manner, giving them the capacity to promote and sustain the growth of urinary tract cells. This may lead to development of alternative methods of tissue engineering in the urinary tract.

Cell Adhesion↗

Surface Properties of Fluorosilicone Copolymers and Their Surface Modification Effects on PVC Film.

The fluorosilicone copolymers were synthesized using a fluorine-containing monomer and silicone-containing monomers by free-radical random copolymerization, and their surface properties and surface modification ability were investigated. The fluorine-containing monomer used was perfluoroalkyl ethyl acrylate (FA), and the silicone-containing monomers used were 3-[tris(trimethylsilyloxy)silyl]propyl methacrylate (SiMA), vinyltrimethoxy silane (VTMS), and vinyltriethoxy silane (VTES). The surface free energies of the fluorosilicone copolymers prepared were estimated from the contact angle data measured by sessile-drop method. And, the surface free energies of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films modified by the fluorosilicone copolymers were also analyzed using the contact angle data. The fluorosilicone copolymers exhibit the surface free energies of about 8-23 dyn/cm dependent on the molecular weight of the fluorosilicone copolymers. The surface free energies of the fluorosilicone copolymers decrease with increasing molecular weight in the range of 2,000-10,000 (Mw). Among the fluorosilicone copolymers prepared in this study, PFA-r-PSiMA was found to be the most effective as a surface modification agent for PVC film. The inherent surface free energy of PFA-r-PSiMA was estimated to be about 9.0 dyn/cm. The desirable molecular weight of PFA-r-PSiMA seems to be more than 4,000 (Mw). However, it is expected that the fluorosilicone copolymers having the molecular weight of much higher than 10,000 (Mw) may not be suitable as surface modification additives because their compatibility with other polymers will decrease with the molecular weight. The optimum concentration of PFA-r-PSiMA added to PVC film is about 1.0 wt.%. PFA-r-PSiMA is expectedto be an effective additive for surface modification of PVC films. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

In vitro evaluation of inflammatory cell response after CF4 plasma surface modification of poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses.

The inflammatory cell response of tetrafluorocarbon (CF4) plasma surface modification of poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses (IOLs) was investigated in vitro. After two hours of lens contact with human granulocytes, scanning electron microscopy showed significantly less cell activation and granulocyte adhesion on the surface-modified IOL than on the untreated IOL (P < .01). The x-ray photo-electron spectroscopy analysis of the CF4 plasma surface modification demonstrated that new compounds containing fluorine were homogeneously grafted onto the PMMA lens surface, resulting in a marked increase of contact angle. These in vitro results must be confirmed by in vivo studies of CF4 plasma surface modification of IOLs.

Biocompatible Materials↗