Applications of synthetic materials in medicine date back over 4000 year2. The Egyptians used linen as sutures. In the Roman Empire, gold was used in dentistry. Perhaps even earlier, ivory and bone may have been used in the body by practitioners of the healing arts. The historical origins of modem biomaterials science are also hard to precisely trace, but many of the ideas that define biomaterials as we know them today evolved in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Surface modification technology has played a prominent role in biomaterials science, and has paralleled the evolution of the modem field. In a symposium organized by the Artifical Heart Program of the NIH National Heart Institute and the Artificial Kidney program of the NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1968, there were already a number of presentations on surface modification. Surface characterization at that time included scanning electron microscopy, ellipsometry, contact angle methods, and infrared internal reflection methods.

Polymers are widely used in bioengineering for a wide range of applications, including substrates for in vitro cell culture and scaffolds for in vivo tissue engineering. Because polymer surfaces are usually non-polar and exhibit low biocompatibility, surface chemical modification must be used to enhance biocompatibility. In this study, biopolymer surfaces were modified by various plasma treatments and the resulting surface properties were characterized in detail by various microanalysis techniques. Although surface chemistry modification of biopolymers is important, modification of the near-surface structure of biopolymers is also critical because it affects cell attachment, proliferation, and infiltration, which is of paramount importance in the fabrication of scaffolds for tissue engineering. Plasma polymerized fluorocarbon (FC) films grafted onto Ar plasma-treated low-density polyethylene surfaces were shown to increase the surface shear strength while maintaining low friction. These surface characteristics illustrate the potential of FC films as coating materials of bioinstruments, such as catheters used for the treatment of diseased arteries where blood flow is restricted by plaque deposits onto the inner wall of the vessel. In addition to FC film grafting, plasma polymerization with diethylene glycol dimethyl ether monomer was used to graft non-fouling polyethylene glycol (PEG)-like films on various substrates to prevent both protein adsorption and cell attachment, which is of great importance to the fabrication of non-clotting artificial grafts for bypass surgery. Non-fouling PEG-like films were used to chemically pattern substrate surfaces for single-cell culture. Polystyrene culture dishes coated with a PEG-like film were chemically patterned using a silicon shadow mask or a poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) membrane mask, fabricated by standard lithography methods, to locally remove the PEG film by Ar plasma etching through the mask windows. Another surface chemical patterning method for long-term single-cell culture was accomplished with polystyrene and parylene C surfaces by taking advantage of the change in surface hydrophilicity induced by plasma treatment. These surface chemical patterning methods were used to regulate the shape and size of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). A strong effect of the shape and size of SMCs on proliferation rate was observed, which was correlated to changes in nuclei shape and volume of the SMCs. In contrast to solid polymers, plasma surface treatment of fibrous polymer materials to improve biocompatibility has received relatively less attention. Thus, another objective of this dissertation was to explore how plasma surface modification with inert (e.g., Ar) and reactive (e.g., NH3) gas plasmas can be used to enhance cell attachment, growth and infiltration into fibrous polymer scaffolds. Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) microfibrous scaffolds synthesized by electrospinning were plasma treated with Ar and NH3 gases to improve cell affinity and incorporate functional groups for biomolecule immobilization. Both Ar and NH3 plasma treatments were shown to improve the cell attachment and growth onto the fabricated microfibrous scaffolds, while surface functional groups produced by NH3 plasma treatment were also effective in immobilizing biomolecules. In addition to the surface chemistry, the structure of biopolymer materials also impacts the effectiveness of tissue engineering scaffolds. Using microfabrication technology to produce a patterned PDMS template for electrospinning, patterned PLLA microfibrous scaffolds with different structures were fabricated and their potential for tissue engineering was demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo cell culture experiments. The results of this thesis indicate that surface chemistry and structure modification of biopolymers by combining plasma treatment with microfabrication/micropatterning techniques is an effective method of engineering surfaces for single-cell culture and scaffold materials with tailored two- and three-dimensional structures that enhance cell growth and infiltration. The findings of this work have direct application in the development of patterned surfaces for controlled single-cell attachment, which is of particular value to studies of individual cell behavior, and scaffolds for tissue engineering and repair.

A guide to modifying and functionalizing the surfaces of polymers Surface Modification of Polymers is an essential guide to the myriad methods that can be employed to modify and functionalize the surfaces of polymers. The functionalization of polymer surfaces is often required for applications in sensors, membranes, medicinal devices, and others. The contributors?noted experts on the topic?describe the polymer surface in detail and discuss the internal and external factors that influence surface properties. This comprehensive guide to the most important methods for the introduction of new functionalities is an authoritative resource for everyone working in the field. This book explores many applications, including the plasma polymerization technique, organic surface functionalization by initiated chemical vapor deposition, photoinduced functionalization on polymer surfaces, functionalization of polymers by hydrolysis, aminolysis, reduction, oxidation, surface modification of nanoparticles, and many more. Inside, readers will find information on various applications in the biomedical field, food science, and membrane science. This important book: -Offers a range of polymer functionalization methods for biomedical applications, water filtration membranes, and food science -Contains discussions of the key surface modification methods, including plasma and chemical techniques, as well as applications for nanotechnology, environmental filtration, food science, and biomedicine -Includes contributions from a team of international renowned experts Written for polymer chemists, materials scientists, plasma physicists, analytical chemists, surface physicists, and surface chemists, Surface Modification of Polymers offers a comprehensive and application-oriented review of the important functionalization methods with a special focus on biomedical applications, membrane science, and food science.

Polymers from natural sources are particularly useful as biomaterials and in regenerative medicine, given their similarity to the extracellular matrix and other polymers in the human body. This important book reviews the wealth of research on both tried and promising new natural-based biomedical polymers, together with their applications as implantable biomaterials, controlled-release carriers or scaffolds for tissue engineering.The first part of the book reviews the sources, processing and properties of natural-based polymers for biomedical applications. Part two describes how the surfaces of polymer-based biomaterials can be modified to improve their functionality. The third part of the book discusses the use of natural-based polymers for biodegradable scaffolds and hydrogels in tissue engineering. Building on this foundation, Part four looks at the particular use of natural-gelling polymers for encapsulation, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The penultimate group of chapters reviews the use of natural-based polymers as delivery systems for drugs, hormones, enzymes and growth factors. The final part of the book summarises research on the key issue of biocompatibility.Natural-based polymers for biomedical applications is a standard reference for biomedical engineers, those studying and researching in this important area, and the medical community. Examines the sources, processing and properties of natural based polymers for biomedical applications Explains how the surfaces of polymer based biomaterials can be modified to improve their functionality Discusses the use of natural based polymers for hydrogels in tissue engineering, and in particular natural gelling polymers for encapsulation and regenerative medicine

This book addresses surface modification techniques, which are critical for tailoring and broadening the applications of naturally occurring biopolymers. Biopolymers represent a sustainable solution to the need for new materials in the auto, waste removal, biomedical device, building material, defense, and paper industries. Features: First comprehensive summary of biopolymer modification methods to enhance compatibility, flexibility, enhanced physicochemical properties, thermal stability, impact response, and rigidity, among others Address of a green, eco-friendly materials that is increasing in use, underscoring the roles of material scientists in the future of new "green" bioolymer material use Coverage applications in automotive development, hazardous waste removal, biomedical engineering, pulp and paper industries, development of new building materials, and defense-related technologies Facilitation of technology transfer

This book addresses surface modification techniques, which are critical for tailoring and broadening the applications of naturally occurring biopolymers. Biopolymers represent a sustainable solution to the need for new materials in the auto, waste removal, biomedical device, building material, defense, and paper industries. Features: First comprehensive summary of biopolymer modification methods to enhance compatibility, flexibility, enhanced physicochemical properties, thermal stability, impact response, and rigidity, among others Address of a green, eco-friendly materials that is increasing in use, underscoring the roles of material scientists in the future of new "green" bioolymer material use Coverage applications in automotive development, hazardous waste removal, biomedical engineering, pulp and paper industries, development of new building materials, and defense-related technologies Facilitation of technology transfer