Grafting of Biocompatible Polymers on DLC Thin Films by Plasma Irradiation-Post Polymerization Technique for Application of Biomedical Devices and Cell Microarrays

Two-step surface modification of metal or glass substrates has been developed for the long-term reliability and safety of biomedical devices (stents, catheters, blood contacting parts,etc) and cell microarrays for cell diagnosis and cell recovery. First step, carboxylic group (COOH)s containing DLC (DLC/COOH) were coated on an aluminum surface by a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Second step, an anti-thrombogenic, poly(N-α-(methacrylamide-L-lysine) (PLysMA) or poly[2-(meth- acryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine] (PMPC) was grafted on the DLC/COOH surface by plasma irradiation-post polymerization technique. Furthermore, to develop novel cell microarrays having regulatory-arranged glass spots and coated the surface with DLC/COOH around the spots for evaluation of cell function and selection of targeting cells by immobilization of single cells on the spots, the microarrays were also grafted with PMPC on the DLC/COOH by the plasma irradiation-post polymerization technique. Surface biocompatibility and characterization were examined by SPM, XPS, and adsorption of plasma proteins.