CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOMATERIAL SURFACES

The surface of a biomaterial can alter or influence proteins and cells. Such interaction leads to the responses we call biocompatibility and blood compatibility. Thus, an understanding of the surface can offer insight into the nature of biological reaction. Since surfaces are inevitably different in chemistry and structure from the bulk of materials and since surfaces are comprised of a minute amount of material, special analytical techniques are needed to study surfaces. Contact angle methods, surface infrared techniques, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), surface imaging methods, and the scanning probe microscopies are briefly outlined with an emphasis on new developments that will enhance our abilities to study biomaterial surfaces.