Laser Surface Texturing of Polymers for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Polymers are materials widely used in biomedical science because of their biocompatibility, and good mechanical properties (which, in some cases, are similar to those of human tissues); however, these materials are, in general, chemically and biologically inert. Surface characteristics, such as topography (at the macro-, micro, and nano-scale), surface chemistry, surface energy, charge, or wettability are interrelated properties, and they cooperatively influence the biological performance of materials when used for biomedical applications. They regulate the biological response at the implant/tissue interface (e.g., influencing the cell adhesion, cell orientation, cell motility, etc.). Several surface processing techniques have been explored to modulate these properties for biomedical applications. Despite their potentials, these methods have limitations that prevent their applicability. In this regard, laser-based methods, in particular laser surface texturing (LST), can be an interesting alternative. Different works have showed the potentiality of this technique to control the surface properties of biomedical polymers and enhance their biological performance; however, more research is needed to obtain the desired biological response. This work provides a general overview of the basics and applications of LST for the surface modification of polymers currently used in the clinical practice (e.g., PEEK, UHMWPE, PP, etc.). The modification of roughness, wettability, and their impact on the biological response is addressed to offer new insights on the surface modification of biomedical polymers.

Photocatalytic cementitious material for self-cleaning and anti-microbial application

“…As previously mentioned, the bactericidal effect at early stage may be affected by initial attachment of bacteria on the cement-based surface. Research study explained that the response of biological environment in contact with a given material is controlled by the physicochemical properties of its surface (Amory and Rouxhet, 1988, Ding et al, 2014a, Riveiro et al, 2018. Surface properties like surface charge, surface roughness, and wettability influence the interaction between the surface and biological environment.…”

Use of Physicochemical Modification Methods for Producing Traditional and Nanomodified Polymeric Composites with Improved Operational Properties

“…In particular, in study [100], a general review of the scientific and practical foundations and results of applications of laser surface texturing for surface modification of polymers, which are currently used in clinical practice, are presented. Experiments were conducted using a fs Ti:Sapphire laser source (λ = 800 nm and pulse duration of 150 fs) to evaluate the wettability changes on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which is used for fabrication microchannels with controlled size and roughness for microfluidic applications, after the laser treatment.…”

Picosecond Laser Ablation of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs): Comparative Study of Neat and Blended Material Response

“…In this regard, surface features in the µm or nm range can be applied in order to interact with cells and influence their behavior. In many cases, this topographical modification is intended to provide an additional surface characteristic respecting the material bulk properties and even the chemical and microstructural surface properties [12]. Laser micro-processing offers many advantages compared to other existing surface micro structuring technologies, such as versatility in terms of materials to be processed (almost any material) and geometries to be generated, the fact of being a single-step and contactless method, and the easy adaptation of the process for micropatterning of tubular or more complex sample shapes [13].…”