Interactions between carbon coatings and tissue

The unique properties of thin diamond layers make them perspective candidates for producing advanced micro-electronic devices, coatings for cutting tools and optics. However, due to the highest biocompatibility of carbon resulting from the presence of this element in the human body, it appears to be a potential biomaterial. Carbon, especially in the form of the nanocrystalline diamond film, have found industrial applications in the area of medical implants. The studies of carbon films as coatings for implants in surgery were aimed at the investigations of biological resistance of implants, histopathological investigations on laboratory animals, tests of corrosion resistance, measurements of mechanical properties and a breakdown test in Tyrode's solution. Different medical implants are covered by Nanocrystalline Diamond Coatings (NCD). NCD forms the barrier diffusion between implant and human environment. The research on NCD proved that diamond layers are biocompatible with living organisms. Diamond Powder Particles (DPP) is an extended surface of NCD. Biological research with diamond powder can answer the basic question: what is the influence of DPP on cells, tissues and organs in human organism? (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.