Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films offer numerous functional characteristics that make them particularly attractive as potential wear resistant coatings for biomedical applications. This chapter first discusses the blood compatibility of various forms of plain and doped DLCs, and evaluates possible correlations with film structure and surface properties. The chapter then considers the application of DLC coatings to different typologies of implants and medical devices, with special regard to cardiovascular prostheses.

Carbon is light-weight, strong, conductive and able to mimic natural materials within the body, making it ideal for many uses within biomedicine. Consequently a great deal of research and funding is being put into this interesting material with a view to increasing the variety of medical applications for which it is suitable. Diamond-based materials for biomedical applications presents readers with the fundamental principles and novel applications of this versatile material.Part one provides a clear introduction to diamond based materials for medical applications. Functionalization of diamond particles and surfaces is discussed, followed by biotribology and biological behaviour of nanocrystalline diamond coatings, and blood compatibility of diamond-like carbon coatings. Part two then goes on to review biomedical applications of diamond based materials, beginning with nanostructured diamond coatings for orthopaedic applications. Topics explored include ultrananocrystalline diamond for neural and ophthalmological applications, nanodiamonds for drug delivery systems, and diamond nucleation and seeding techniques for tissue regeneration. Finally, the book concludes with a discussion of diamond materials for microfluidic devices.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Diamond-based materials for biomedical applications is an authoritative guide for all materials scientists, researchers, medical practitioners and academics investigating the properties and uses of diamond based materials in the biomedical environment. - Presents the fundamental principles and novel applications of this versatile material - Discusses the functionalization of diamond particles and surfaces, biotribology and biological behaviour of nanocrystalinediamond coatings and blood compatibility of diamond-like carbon coatings - Reviews nanostructured diamond coatings for orthopaedic coatings

Diamond films have been considered as ideal candidates for protective coatings on bioimplants, as bioimplants themselves or as a guide for neural differentiation, because of their excellent mechanical properties, functional amenability, biocompatibility, and unique nanostructures. We separate nanocrystalline diamond films into two categories based on growth chemistries, nanostructure, and properties: nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) and ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD). UNCD is suitable for application as a hermetic coating for protection of implantable artificial retina medical devices, and also contributes to improvement of neural stem cell (NSC)-based cell transplantation, tissue engineering for neural tissue repair and regeneration and study of neural cell differentiation.

This chapter discusses the application of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films as protective coatings for joint replacement. The chapter includes an overview of chemical vapour deposition (CVD) diamond and discusses the influence of hot-filament chemical vapour deposition (HFCVD) parameters on the deposition of NCD on silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramics. The chapter then presents biotribological studies and in vitro cell cultures of the deposited NCD coatings.

Nanodiamonds offer a potential novel template for drug delivery and targeting, because of their small primary particle size, purity, excellent properties, facile surface functionalization, high biocompatibility, and inexpensive large-scale synthesis. However, nanodiamond properties such as aggregation state, surface chemistry, and presence of impurities, as well as the localization and accumulation behavior at the organism level, must be controlled to maintain safety and retain efficacy of conjugated therapeutic agents. A clinically applicable approach requires investigation of biocompatibility, biodistribution, and biological fate of the nanodiamond as well as its conjugates.

Recent advances made in the controlled deposition of diamond thin films with varying morphologies have pushed researchers to consider diamond as an alternative carbon-based material. Surface functionalization is believed to be an effective approach to tune the physical, chemical and electrochemical properties of diamond. Understanding and controlling the functionalization process of diamond surfaces thus holds considerable promise for both fundamental and applied research aspects. This chapter summarizes the state of the art of chemical, photochemical and electrochemical strategies for the grafting of different organic moieties onto diamond.

This chapter discusses the possibilities and advantages offered by the use of diamond materials in the fabrication of microfluidic devices. The correct choice of material with optimal properties is crucial in the design of modern microfluidic devices. The different applications of diamond materials in this field are reviewed, along with a discussion of recent development and future trends.