Name: graphene coatings for biomedical implants
Uploaded: 2013-03-01T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Graphene Coatings for Biomedical Implants at JoVE.com

1. Graphene-coating of NiTi
<ol>
 <li>The graphene samples used in this study were grown on copper (Cu) substrates using the chemical vapor deposition technique, and subsequently transferred to 4.5 mm2NiTi substrates.</li>
 <li>Cu foils (1 cm x 1 cm) were placed in a 1 in. quartz tube furnace and heated to 1,000 &deg;C in the presence of 50 sccm of H2 and 450 sccm of Ar.</li>
 <li>Next, methane (1 and 4 sccm) was introduced into the furnace at different flow rates for 20-30 min. Th...

<ol>
	<li>Roy, R. K., Lee, K. -. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biomedical+applications+of+diamond-like+carbon+coatings:+A+review.">Biomedical applications of diamond-like carbon coatings: A review.</a> Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B-Applied Biomaterials. 83 B (1), 72-84 (2007).</li><li>Shah, A. K., Sinha, R. K., Hickok, N. J., Tuan, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-resolution+morphometric+analysis+of+human+osteoblastic+cell+adhesion+on+clinically+relevant+orthopedic+alloys.">High-resolution morphometric analysis of human osteoblastic cell adhesion on clinically relevant orthopedic alloys.</a> Bone. 24 (5), 499-506 (1999).</li><li>Huang, N., Yang, P., Leng, Y. X., Chen, J. Y., Sun, H., Wang, J., Wang, G. J., Ding, P. D., Xi, T. F., Leng, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hemocompatibility+of+titanium+oxide+films.">Hemocompatibility of titanium oxide films.</a> Biomaterials. 24 (13), 2177-2187 (2003).</li><li>Gutensohn, K., Beythien, C., Bau, J., Fenner, T., Grewe, P., Koester, R., Padmanaban, K., Kuehnl, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+analyses+of+diamond-like+carbon+coated+stents:+Reduction+of+metal+ion+release,+platelet+activation,+and+thrombogenicity.">In vitro analyses of diamond-like carbon coated stents: Reduction of metal ion release, platelet activation, and thrombogenicity.</a> Thrombosis Research. 99 (6), 577-585 (2000).</li><li>Gillespie, W. J., Frampton, C. M. A., Henderson, R. J., Ryan, P. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Incidence+of+Cancer+Following+Total+Hip-Replacement.">The Incidence of Cancer Following Total Hip-Replacement.</a> Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-British Volume. 70 (4), 539-542 (1988).</li><li>Sperling, C., Schweiss, R. B., Streller, U., Werner, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+hemocompatibility+of+self-assembled+monolayers+displaying+various+functional+groups.">In vitro hemocompatibility of self-assembled monolayers displaying various functional groups.</a> Biomaterials. 26 (33), 6547-6557 (2005).</li><li>Mikhalovska, L. I., Santin, M., Denyer, S. P., Lloyd, A. W., Teer, D. G., Field, S., Mikhalovsky, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fibrinogen+adsorption+and+platelet+adhesion+to+metal+and+carbon+coatings.">Fibrinogen adsorption and platelet adhesion to metal and carbon coatings.</a> Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 92 (5), 1032-1039 (2004).</li><li>Airoldi, F., Colombo, A., Tavano, D., Stankovic, G., Klugmann, S., Paolillo, V., Bonizzoni, E., Briguori, C., Carlino, M., Montorfano, M., Liistro, F., Castelli, A., Ferrari, A., Sgura, F., Mario, C. D. i. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+diamond-like+carbon-coated+stents+versus+uncoated+stainless+steel+stents+in+coronary+artery+disease.">Comparison of diamond-like carbon-coated stents versus uncoated stainless steel stents in coronary artery disease.</a> American Journal of Cardiology. 93 (4), 474-477 (2004).</li><li>Allen, M., Myer, B., Rushton, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+and+in+vivo+investigations+into+the+biocompatibility+of+diamond-like+carbon+(DLC)+coatings+for+orthopedic+applications.">In vitro and in vivo investigations into the biocompatibility of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings for orthopedic applications.</a> Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. 58 (3), 319-328 (2001).</li><li>Butter, R., Allen, M., Chandra, L., Lettington, A. H., Rushton, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> In-vitro Studies of DLC Coatings with Silicon Intermediate Layer. Diamond and Related Materials. 4 (5-6), 857-861 (1995).</li><li>Dearnaley, G., Arps, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biomedical+applications+of+diamond-like+carbon+(DLC)+coatings:+A+review.">Biomedical applications of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings: A review.</a> Surface &amp; Coatings Technology. 200 (7), 2518-2524 (2005).</li><li>Dorner-Reisel, A., Schurer, C., Nischan, C., Seidel, O., Muller, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Diamond-like+carbon:+alteration+of+the+biological+acceptance+due+to+Ca-O+incorporation.">Diamond-like carbon: alteration of the biological acceptance due to Ca-O incorporation.</a> Thin Solid Films. 420, 263-268 (2002).</li><li>Dowling, D. P., Kola, P. V., Donnelly, K., Kelly, T. C., Brumitt, K., Lloyd, L., Eloy, R., Therin, M., Weill, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+diamond-like+carbon-coated+orthopaedic+implants.">Evaluation of diamond-like carbon-coated orthopaedic implants.</a> Diamond and Related Materials. 6 (2-4), 390-393 (1997).</li><li>Grill, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Diamond-like+carbon+coatings+as+biocompatible+materials+-+an+overview.">Diamond-like carbon coatings as biocompatible materials - an overview.</a> Diamond and Related Materials. 12 (2), 166-170 (2003).</li><li>Hauert, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+review+of+modified+DLC+coatings+for+biological+applications.">A review of modified DLC coatings for biological applications.</a> Diamond and Related Materials. 12 (3-7), 583-589 (2003).</li><li>Windecker, S., Mayer, I., De Pasquale, G., Maier, W., Dirsch, O., De Groot, P., Wu, Y. P., Noll, G., Leskosek, B., Meier, B., Hess, O. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Working+Grp+Novel+Surface,+C.,+Stent+coating+with+titanium-nitride-oxide+for+reduction+of+neointimal+hyperplasia.">Working Grp Novel Surface, C., Stent coating with titanium-nitride-oxide for reduction of neointimal hyperplasia.</a> Circulation. 104 (8), 928-933 (2001).</li><li>Zhang, F., Zheng, Z. H., Chen, Y., Liu, X. G., Chen, A. Q., Jiang, Z. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+investigation+of+blood+compatibility+of+titanium+oxide+films.">In vivo investigation of blood compatibility of titanium oxide films.</a> Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. 42 (1), 128-133 (1998).</li><li>Bolz, A., Schaldach, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Artificial-Heart+Valves+-+Improved+Blood+Compatibility+By+PECVD+a-SiC-H+COATING.">Artificial-Heart Valves - Improved Blood Compatibility By PECVD a-SiC-H COATING.</a> Artificial Organs. 14 (4), 260-269 (1990).</li><li>Haude, M., Konorza, T. F. M., Kalnins, U., Erglis, A., Saunamaki, K., Glogar, H. D., Grube, E., Gil, R., Serra, A., Richardt, H. G., Sick, P., Erbel, R., Invest, C. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heparin-coated+stent+placement+for+the+treatment+of+stenoses+in+small+coronary+arteries+of+symptomatic+patients.">Heparin-coated stent placement for the treatment of stenoses in small coronary arteries of symptomatic patients.</a> Circulation. 107 (9), 1265-1270 (2003).</li><li>Suggs, L. J., Shive, M. S., Garcia, C. A., Anderson, J. M., Mikos, A. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+cytotoxicity+and+in+vivo+biocompatibility+of+poly(propylene+fumarate-co-ethylene+glycol)+hydrogels.">In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo biocompatibility of poly(propylene fumarate-co-ethylene glycol) hydrogels.</a> Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. 46 (1), 22-32 (1999).</li><li>Clarotti, G., Schue, F., Sledz, J., Benaoumar, A. A., Geckeler, K. E., Orsetti, A., Paleirac, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modification+of+the+biocompatible+and+haemocompatible+properties+of+polymer+substrates+by+plasma-deposited+fluorocarbon+coatings.">Modification of the biocompatible and haemocompatible properties of polymer substrates by plasma-deposited fluorocarbon coatings.</a> Biomaterials. 13 (12), 832-840 (1992).</li><li>Gombotz, W. R., Guanghui, W., Horbett, T. A., Hoffman, A. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Protein+adsorption+to+poly(ethylene+oxide)+surfaces.">Protein adsorption to poly(ethylene oxide) surfaces.</a> Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. 25 (12), 1547-1562 (1991).</li><li>Ishihara, K., Fukumoto, K., Iwasaki, Y., Nakabayashi, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modification+of+polysulfone+with+phospholipid+polymer+for+improvement+of+the+blood+compatibility.+Part+2.+Protein+adsorption+and+platelet+adhesion.">Modification of polysulfone with phospholipid polymer for improvement of the blood compatibility. Part 2. Protein adsorption and platelet adhesion.</a> Biomaterials. 20 (17), 1553-1559 (1999).</li><li>Jung, N., Kim, B., Crowther, A. C., Kim, N., Nuckolls, C., Brus, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Optical+Reflectivity+and+Raman+Scattering+in+Few-Layer-Thick+Graphene+Highly+Doped+by+K+and+Rb.">Optical Reflectivity and Raman Scattering in Few-Layer-Thick Graphene Highly Doped by K and Rb.</a> ACS Nano. 5 (7), 5708-5716 (2011).</li><li>Rao, A. M., Eklund, P. C., Bandow, S., Thess, A., Smalley, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evidence+for+charge+transfer+in+doped+carbon+nanotube+bundles+from+Raman+scattering.">Evidence for charge transfer in doped carbon nanotube bundles from Raman scattering.</a> Nature. 388 (6639), 257-259 (1997).</li><li>Bunch, J. S., Verbridge, S. S., Alden, J. S., vander Zande, A. M., Parpia, J. M., Craighead, H. G., McEuen, P. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impermeable+atomic+membranes+from+graphene+sheets.">Impermeable atomic membranes from graphene sheets.</a> Nano Letters. 8 (8), 2458-2462 (2008).</li><li>Chen, S., Brown, L., Levendorf, M., Cai, W., Ju, S. -. Y., Edgeworth, J., Li, X., Magnuson, C. W., Velamakanni, A., Piner, R. D., Kang, J., Park, J., Ruoff, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxidation+Resistance+of+Graphene-Coated+Cu+and+Cu/Ni+Alloy.">Oxidation Resistance of Graphene-Coated Cu and Cu/Ni Alloy.</a> Acs Nano. 5 (2), 1321-1327 (2011).</li></ol>

Biocompatibility and cytotoxicity: The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method yielded polycrystalline graphene samples that mimicked Cu crystal grains, as shown in Figure 1a. We employed Raman spectroscopy to confirm the presence of monolayer (few layer) graphene on 1 sccm (4 sccm) samples (see Figure 1b). Clearly, 1 sccm (4 sccm) samples exhibit intense (relatively weaker) G' band indicative of monolayer (few layer) graphene. Figure 1c shows an atomic forc...

The past three decades have witnessed discovery of novel materials-based therapies and devices for disease treatments and diagnostics. Novel alloy materials such as nitinol (NiTi) and stainless steel are often used in biomedical implant manufacturing due to their superior mechanical properties.1-3 However, numerous challenges remain due to exogenous material cytotoxicity, bio- and hemo-compatibility. The metallic nature of these alloys results in poor bio- and hemocompatibility due to metal leaching, lack of cell adhesion, proliferation, and thrombosis when it comes in contact with flowing blood (such as catheters, blood vessel grafts, vascular stents, artificial heart valves etc.). 1, 4, 5 The interaction of proteins or living cells with the implant surface can lead to a strong immunological response and the ensuing cascade of biochemical reactions may adversely affect the device functionality. Therefore, it is pertinent to achieve control over the interactions between biomedical implants and its surrounding biological environment. Surface modification is often employed to reduce or prevent the adverse physiological response originating from the implant material. An ideal surface coating is expected to have high adhesion strength, chemical inertness, high smoothness, and good hemo- and biocompatibility. Previously, numerous materials including diamond-like carbon (DLC), SiC, TiN, TiO2 and many polymer materials have been tested as bio-compatible implant surface coatings. 1, 6-23 However, these materials are still unable to meet all of the functional criteria for a suitable implant surface coating.
The discovery of atom thick layer of sp2 carbon, known as graphene, has opened doors for the development of novel multifunctional materials. Graphene is expected to be an ideal candidate for implant surface coating since it is chemically inert, atomically smooth and highly durable. In this Letter, we investigate the viability of graphene as a surface coating for biomedical implants. Our studies show that the graphene coated nitinol (Gr-NiTi) meets all of the functional criteria, and additionally supports excellent smooth muscle and endothelial cell growth leading to better cell proliferation. We also find that the serum albumin adsorption on Gr-NiTi is higher than fibrinogen. Importantly, (i) our detailed spectroscopic measurements confirmed the lack of charge transfer between graphene and fibrinogen suggesting that graphene coating inhibits platelet activation by implants, (ii) graphene coatings do not exhibit any significant in vitro toxicity for endothelial and smooth muscle cell lines confirming their biocompatibility, and (iii) graphene coatings are chemically inert, durable and impermeable in flowing blood environment. These hemo-and biocompatible properties, along with high strength, chemical inertness and durability, render graphene coatings as an ideal surface coating.

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Reagent</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium</td>
 <td>ATCC</td>
 <td>30-2002</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>M2128</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>CellTiter 96 Aqueous One solution cell proliferation assay (MTS)</td>
 <td>Promega</td>
 <td>G3582</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Dimethyl sulfoxide</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>D8418</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>36.5% formaldehyde</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>F8775</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Triton X-100</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>T8787</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Alexafluor 488 phalloidin</td>
 <td>Life Technologies</td>
 <td>A12379</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>VECTASHIELD mounting medium with DAPI</td>
 <td>Vector Laboratories</td>
 <td>H-1200</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Human serum albumin</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>A9511</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Human fibrinogen</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Tris/Glycine/SDS</td>
 <td>Bio-Rad</td>
 <td>161-0732</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Ready Gel Tris-HCl Gel</td>
 <td>Bio-Rad</td>
 <td>161-1158</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Acetic acid</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>45726</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>SYPRO Red</td>
 <td>Life Technologies</td>
 <td>S-6653</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Protein low BCA assay</td>
 <td>Lamda Biotech</td>
 <td>G1003</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Precision Plus Protein Kaleidoscope Standard</td>
 <td>Bio-Rad</td>
 <td>161-0375</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Immun-Blot PVDF membrane</td>
 <td>Bio-Rad</td>
 <td>162-0177</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Blotting grade blocker non-fat dry milk</td>
 <td>Bio-Rad</td>
 <td>170-6404XTU</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Anti-actin antibody produced in rabbit</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>A2066</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>BM Chemiluminescence Western Blotting kit (mouse/rabbit)</td>
 <td>Roche Applied Science</td>
 <td>11520709001</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>RIPA buffer</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>R0278</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>NiTi (51% Ni, 49% Ti)</td>
 <td>Alfa-Aesar</td>
 <td>44953</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Equipment</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Horiba JobinYvon</td>
 <td>Raman spectrometer</td>
 <td>Dilor XY 98</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Nikon</td>
 <td>Confocal microscope</td>
 <td>Eclipse TI microscope</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Thermoscientific</td>
 <td>Plate reader</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Bio-Rad</td>
 <td>Power supply</td>
 <td> 164-5050</td>
 <td>PowerPac basic power supply</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Bio-Rad</td>
 <td>Electrophoresis cell</td>
 <td>165-8004</td>
 <td>Mini-PROTEAN tetra cell </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Bio-Rad</td>
 <td>Gel holder cassette</td>
 <td> 170-3931</td>
 <td>Mini gel holder cassette</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

graphene coatings for biomedical implants

Atomically smooth graphene as a surface coating has potential to improve implant properties. This demonstrates a method for coating nitinol alloys with nanometer thick layers of graphene for applications as a stent material. Graphene was grown on copper substrates via chemical vapor deposition and then transferred onto nitinol substrates. In order to understand how the graphene coating could change biological response, cell viability of rat aortic endothelial cells and rat aortic smooth muscle cells was investigated. Moreover, the effect of graphene-coatings on cell adhesion and morphology was examined with fluorescent confocal microscopy. Cells were stained for actin and nuclei, and there were noticeable differences between pristine nitinol samples compared to graphene-coated samples. Total actin expression from rat aortic smooth muscle cells was found using western blot. Protein adsorption characteristics, an indicator for potential thrombogenicity, were determined for serum albumin and fibrinogen with gel electrophoresis. Moreover, the transfer of charge from fibrinogen to substrate was deduced using Raman spectroscopy. It was found that graphene coating on nitinol substrates met the functional requirements for a stent material and improved the biological response compared to uncoated nitinol. Thus, graphene-coated nitinol is a viable candidate for a stent material.

<img src="/files/ftp_upload/50276/50276fig1.jpg" alt="Figure 1"/> 
 Figure 1. a) CVD grown polycrystalline graphene on Cu foils mimics the metal crystal grains (scale bar: 10 &mu;m). b) Raman spectrum of 1 sccm (4 sccm) graphene shows intense (relatively weaker) G' band indicating monolayer (few layer) nature of as-prepared graphene. c) AFM image of graphene transferred on to NiTi shows a roughness of ~5 nm. Scale bar = 500 nm.
<p class...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Graphene Coatings for Biomedical Implants at JoVE.com

Graphene Coatings for Biomedical Implants

Graphene offers potential as a coating material for biomedical implants. In this study we demonstrate a method for coating nitinol alloys with nanometer thick layers of graphene and determine how graphene may influence implant response.

Atomically smooth graphene as a surface coating has potential to improve implant properties. This demonstrates a method for coating nitinol alloys with ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Simultaneous Synthesis of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene in a Magnetically-enhanced Arc Plasma

Carbon nanostructures such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and graphene attract a deluge of interest of scholars nowadays due to their very ...

Designing Silk-silk Protein Alloy Materials for Biomedical Applications

Fibrous proteins display different sequences and structures that have been used for various applications in biomedical fields such as biosensors, ...

Fabricating Superhydrophobic Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications

Superhydrophobic materials, with surfaces possessing permanent or metastable non-wetted states, are of interest for a number of biomedical and industrial ...

Fabrication of Mechanically Tunable and Bioactive Metal Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications

Biometal systems have been widely used for biomedical applications, in particular, as load-bearing materials. However, major challenges are high stiffness ...

Synthesis of Keratin-based Nanofiber for Biomedical Engineering

Electrospinning, due to its versatility and potential for applications in various fields, is being frequently used to fabricate nanofibers. Production of ...

Rapid Mix Preparation of Bioinspired Nanoscale Hydroxyapatite for Biomedical Applications

Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been widely used as a medical ceramic due to its good biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Recently there has been interest ...

Microhoneycomb Monoliths Prepared by the Unidirectional Freeze-drying of Cellulose Nanofiber Based Sols: Method and Extensions

Monolithic honeycomb structures have been attractive to multidisciplinary fields due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. Particularly, microhoneycomb ...

Manufacturing of a Nafion-coated, Reduced Graphene Oxide/Polyaniline Chemiresistive Sensor to Monitor pH in Real-time During Microbial Fermentation

Here, we report the engineering of a solid-state micro pH sensor based on polyaniline-functionalized, electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO-PA). ...

Environmental Dynamic Mechanical Analysis to Predict the Softening Behavior of Neural Implants

When using dynamically softening substrates for neural implants, it is important to have a reliable in vitro method to characterize the softening behavior ...

Mitigation of Blood Borne Cell Attachment to Metal Implants through CD47-Derived Peptide Immobilization

The key complications associated with bare metal stents and drug eluting stents are in-stent restenosis and late stent thrombosis, respectively. Thus, ...