Biofunctionalization of surfaces to minimize undesirable effects in cardiovascular assistance devices

BACKGROUND: The reactivity of blood with non-endothelial surface is a challenge for long-term Ventricular Assist Devices development, usually made with pure titanium, which despite of being inert, low density and high mechanical resistance it does not avoid the thrombogenic responses. Here we tested a modification on the titanium surface with Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures followed by Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating in different thicknesses to customize the wettability profile by changing the surface energy of the titanium. METHODS: Four different surfaces were proposed: (1) Pure Titanium as Reference Material (RM), (2) Textured as Test Sample (TS), (3) Textured with DLC 0.3µm as (TSA) and (4) Textured with 2.4µm DLC as (TSB). A single implant was positioned in the abdominal aorta of Wistar rats and the effects of hemodynamic interaction were evaluated without anticoagulant drugs. RESULTS: After twelve weeks, the implants were extracted and subjected to qualitative analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy under low vacuum and X-ray Energy Dispersion. The regions that remained in contact with the wall of the aorta showed encapsulation of the endothelial tissue. TSB implants, although superhydrophilic, have proven that the DLC coating inhibits the adhesion of biological material, prevents abrasive wear and delamination, as observed in the TS and TSA implants. Pseudo- neointimal layers were heterogeneously identified in higher concentration on Test Surfaces.

Biofunctionalization of surfaces to minimize undesirable effects in cardiovascular assistance devices.

BACKGROUND: The reactivity of blood with non-endothelial surface is a challenge for long-term Ventricular Assist Devices development, usually made with pure titanium, which despite of being inert, low density and high mechanical resistance it does not avoid the thrombogenic responses. Here we tested a modification on the titanium surface with Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures followed by Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating in different thicknesses to customize the wettability profile by changing the surface energy of the titanium. METHODS: Four different surfaces were proposed: (1) Pure Titanium as Reference Material (RM), (2) Textured as Test Sample (TS), (3) Textured with DLC 0.3µm as (TSA) and (4) Textured with 2.4µm DLC as (TSB). A single implant was positioned in the abdominal aorta of Wistar rats and the effects of hemodynamic interaction were evaluated without anticoagulant drugs. RESULTS: After twelve weeks, the implants were extracted and subjected to qualitative analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy under low vacuum and X-ray Energy Dispersion. The regions that remained in contact with the wall of the aorta showed encapsulation of the endothelial tissue. TSB implants, although superhydrophilic, have proven that the DLC coating inhibits the adhesion of biological material, prevents abrasive wear and delamination, as observed in the TS and TSA implants. Pseudo- neointimal layers were heterogeneously identified in higher concentration on Test Surfaces.

Surface Morphology and Spectroscopic Features of Homoepitaxial Diamond Films Prepared by MWPACVD at High CH4 Concentrations.

Single crystal diamond (SCD) is a promising material to satisfy emerging requirements of high-demand fields, such as microelectronics, beta batteries and wide-spectrum optical communication systems, due to its excellent optical characteristics, elevated breakdown voltage, high hardness and superior thermal conductivity. For such applications, it is essential to study the optically active defects in as-grown diamonds, namely three-dimensional defects (such as stacking faults and dislocations) and the inherent defects arising from the cultivation method. This paper reports the growth of SCD films on a commercial HPHT single-crystal diamond seed substrate using a 2.45 GHz microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (MWPACVD) technique by varying the methane (CH4) gas concentration from 6 to 12%, keeping the other parameters constant. The influence of the CH4 concentration on the properties, such as structural quality, morphology and thickness, of the highly oriented SCD films in the crystalline plane (004) was investigated and compared with those on the diamond substrate surface. The SCD film thickness is dependent on the CH4 concentration, and a high growth rate of up to 27 µm/h can be reached. Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffractometry (HRXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface profilometry and optical microscopic analyses showed that the produced homoepitaxial SCD films are of good quality with few macroscopic defects.

Differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of nanomolar levels of atorvastatin calcium in pharmaceutical and biological samples using a vertically aligned carbon nanotube/graphene oxide electrode.

A novel vertically aligned carbon nanotube/graphene oxide (VACNT-GO) electrode is proposed, and its ability to determine atorvastatin calcium (ATOR) in pharmaceutical and biological samples by differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPAdSV) is evaluated. VACNT films were prepared on a Ti substrate by a microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition method and then treated with oxygen plasma to produce the VACNT-GO electrode. The oxygen plasma treatment exfoliates the carbon nanotube tips exposing graphene foils and inserting oxygen functional groups, these effects improved the VACNT wettability (super-hydrophobic) which is crucial for its electrochemical application. The electrochemical behaviour of ATOR on the VACNT-GO electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry, which showed that it underwent an irreversible oxidation process at a potential of +1.08 V in pHcond 2.0 (0.2 mol L(-1) buffer phosphate solution). By applying DPAdSV under optimized experimental conditions the analytical curve was found to be linear in the ATOR concentration range of 90 to 3.81 × 10(3) nmol L(-1) with a limit of detection of 9.4 nmol L(-1). The proposed DPAdSV method was successfully applied in the determination of ATOR in pharmaceutical and biological samples, and the results were in close agreement with those obtained by a comparative spectrophotometric method at a confidence level of 95%.

In vitro and in vivo studies of a novel nanohydroxyapatite/superhydrophilic vertically aligned carbon nanotube nanocomposites.

An association between in vitro and in vivo studies has been demonstrated for the first time, using a novel nanohydroxyapatite/superhydrophilic vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube (nHAp/VAMWCNT-O2) nanocomposites. Human osteoblast cell culture and bone defects were used to evaluate the in vitro extracellular matrix (ECM) calcification process and bone regeneration, respectively. The in vitro ECM calcification process of nHAp/VAMWCNT-O2 nanocomposites were investigated using alkaline phosphatase assay. The in vivo biomineralization studies were carried out on bone defects of C57BL/6/JUnib mice. Scanning electron microscopy, micro-energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray difractometry analyses confirmed the presence of the nHAp crystals. nHAp/VAMWCNT-O2 nanocomposites induced in vitro calcification of the ECM of human osteoblast cells in culture after only 24 h. Bone regeneration with lamellar bone formation after 9 weeks was found in the in vivo studies. Our findings make these new nanocomposites very attractive for application in bone tissue regeneration.

Deposition of hard and adherent diamond-like carbon films inside steel tubes using a pulsed-DC discharge.

A new, low cost, pulsed-DC plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system that uses a bipolar, pulsed power supply was designed and tested to evaluate its capacity to produce quality diamond-like carbon films on the inner surface of steel tubes. The main focus of the study was to attain films with low friction coefficients, low total stress, a high degree of hardness, and very good adherence to the inner surface of long metallic tubes at a reasonable growth rate. In order to enhance the diamond-like carbon coating adhesion to metallic surfaces, four steps were used: (1) argon ion sputtering; (2) plasma nitriding; (3) a thin amorphous silicon interlayer deposition, using silane as the precursor gas; and (4) diamond-like carbon film deposition using methane atmosphere. This paper presents various test results as functions of the methane gas pressure and of the coaxial metal anode diameter, where the pulsed-DC voltage constant is kept constant. The influence of the coaxial metal anode diameter and of the methane gas pressure is also demonstrated. The results obtained showed the possibilities of using these DLC coatings for reduced friction and to harden inner surface of the steel tubes.

Cutting characteristics of dental diamond burs made with CVD technology.

The aim of this study was to determine the cutting ability of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond burs coupled to an ultrasonic dental unit handpiece for minimally invasive cavity preparation. One standard cavity was prepared on the mesial and distal surfaces of 40 extracted human third molars either with cylindrical or with spherical CVD burs. The cutting ability was compared regarding type of substrate (enamel and dentin) and direction of handpiece motion. The morphological characteristics, width and depth of the cavities were analyzed and measured using scanning electron micrographs. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05) revealed that the width and depth of the cavities were significantly greater when they were prepared on dentin. Wider cavities were prepared when the cylindrical CVD bur was used, and deeper cavities resulted from preparation with the spherical CVD bur. The direction of handpiece motion did not influence the size of the cavities, and the CVD burs produced precise and conservative cutting.

Cutting characteristics of dental diamond burs made with CVD technology

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a habilidade de corte das pontas de diamante obtidas pelo processo de deposição química a vapor (CVD) associadas ao aparelho de ultra-som no preparo cavitário minimamente invasivo. Uma cavidade padronizada foi preparada nas faces mesial e distal de 40 terceiros molares, utilizando-se pontas de diamante CVD cilíndrica e esférica. A habilidade de corte foi comparada quanto ao tipo de substrato (esmalte e dentina) e quanto à direção do movimento realizado com a ponta. As características morfológicas, a largura e profundidade das cavidades foram analisadas e medidas em microscopia eletrônica de varredura. A análise estatística pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis (p < 0,05) revelou que a largura e profundidade das cavidades foram significativamente maiores em dentina. Cavidades mais largas foram obtidas quando se utilizou a ponta de diamante CVD cilíndrica, e mais profundas quando a ponta esférica foi empregada. A direção do movimento da ponta não influenciou o tamanho das cavidades, sendo os cortes produzidos pelas pontas de diamante CVD precisos e conservadores.

Pontas de diamantes-CVD / CVD diamond stones

Neste trabalho mostra-se através de testes rigorosos a grande superioridade de pontas de diamante-CVD em comparação com pontas de diamantes convencionais. As pontas de diamante CVD, um produto inédito, são obtidas através de uma nova tecnologia, que surgiu na última década, para a produção artificial de diamante. A tecnologia de disposição química a partir da fase vapor (CVD - Chemical Vapor Deposition) permite a deposição de diamante com granulação completamente coalescente, em substratos de diferentes formatos. A caracterização de pontas para uso odontológico se deu com uma granulação adequada, proporcionando um melhor desempenho. Testes de desgastes, para caracterização das pontas diamantadas, foram realizados em lâminas de vidro, makor e dentina. Mediu-se a velocidade do corte em função do tempo de vida das pontas. As técnicas de microscopia óptica e de microscopia eletrônica de varredura, foram utilizadas na determinação do desempenho global destes dispositivos. Foram, também, realizadas medidas de variação da temperatura in vitro, no interior da câmara pulpar em função do tempo de desgaste, tanto para as pontas de diamante-CVD como para as pontas diamantadas convencionais. Os resultados mostram uma durabilidade muito maior, uma melhor qualidade no acabamento, uma melhor limpeza da ponta e é garantido o contato do dente apenas com o diamante. Isto abre novas perspectivas na operacionalidade e na qualidade do trabalho