Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
steel. Therefore, hydrogen content may be an important factor for influencing the biologi-
cal response of amorphous carbon surfaces. Macrophage cells spread well on all a-C:H
film surfaces, and the surface results indicated the nontoxic nature of the surfaces on the
cells (refer to Figure 2.29).
Fibroblasts
Fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, the struc-
tural fibers, and ground substance of connective tissue, and it plays a critical role in wound
healing. In growing individuals, fibroblasts are dividing and synthesizing ground sub-
stance. Fibroblasts can give rise to other cells, such as bone cells, fat cells, and smooth
muscle cells. It is therefore widely used in cytocompatibility tests. A biomaterial should
(a)
Magn
2000×
20 µm
macrophage
(b)
(c)
Acc.V
12.0 kV
Magn
2000×
20 µm
Acc.V
15.0 kV
Magn
2000×
20 µm
macrophage
macrophage
(d)
(e)
Acc.V
15.0 kV
Magn
2000×
Acc.V
15.0 kV
Sped
5.0
Magn
2000×
Det
5.0
WD
5.5
20 µm
20 µm
macrophage
HMD5 Macrophage
FIGURE 2.29
SEM micrographs of macrophage morphology: (a) Si, (b) ta-C, (c) a-C:H(C
2
H
2
), (d) a-C:H(CH
4
), and (e) thermanox.
(Reprinted with permission from Ma et al.,
Biomaterials
, 28, 1620, 2007.)
