Plasma processing of biomaterials.

Surface properties of biomaterials can easily be modified by glow-discharge plasma processing for very diverse biomedical applications. Activated carbon granules can be coated with a very thin polymeric membrane by plasma polymerization to improve their blood compatibilities without changing their adsorption capabilities. The problems associated with the microporous polypropylene oxygenator membranes can be eliminated by coating with a nonporous thin polymeric film in a glow-discharge reactor. Cell attachment and growth on polystyrene microcarriers can significantly be increased by alkylamine plasma treatment. Physical and chemical properties of polyurethane biomaterials can be tailor-made by plasma modification.