Bioinspired thin film materials designed for blood contact

Abstract This work concerns surface modification in order of in vitro analysis of the blood-material interaction. Based on the in vitro analysis, materials were adjusted towards the suitable surfaces dedicated for direct blood contact. The future and the development of science is therefore seen in interdisciplinary areas such as biomedical engineering. Self-assembled structures, similar to stem cell niches would inhibit fast division process and subsequently capture the stem cells from the blood flow. The study carried out the surface modification which included the development of thin films for three main areas of possible application in the heart assist system. The first group of coatings was adjusted to withstand high shear stress and to minimize the risk of the blood cell damage. The second aspect of the surface modification considered tissue analogs and bioinspired surfaces. For this reason porous, extracellular-like coatings were elaborated as an effective substrate for the endothelium growth and proliferation enabling the cell to survive for long time forming endothelium tissue. Furthermore the simultaneous solution regarding bioinspired materials considered niche like structure dedicated to the effective capturing of the progenitor cells from the blood. By the support of an ion gun which resulted in the introduction of a controlled share of residual stresses, the structuring effect occurred. The third alternative solution considered surface adjustment for the external part of the inflow conduit design. The surface modification considered channels formation for the controlled integration with the muscle cells.