Modification and coating of biomaterial surfaces by glow-discharge processes. A review

Glow-discharge treatment processes offer a range of specific advantages for the modification of biomaterial surfaces: Versatility with respect to the substrates, geometric conformality, adherence and impermeability of coatings and a wide range of compositions available, to name the most important. After a concise introduction into the generation, properties and uses of glow-discharges, the presentation will give an overview of several reports on glow-discharge-based processes applied to biomaterial surfaces. Examples to be covered include the reduction of platelet reactivity of surfaces, enhancement of cell growth and the reduction of protein adsorption.