Formation of nanoscale surfaces for the atttachment of biological materials
AssigneeIsoflux, Inc.
InventorsDavid A. Glocker, Mark Romach
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inhomogeneous surface is formed on a substrate, such as an orthopedic implant or other surface upon which cell growth is desired, by depositing a discontinuous coating of atoms on the substrate and etching the substrate. The difference in etch rates between the coating and the substrate will produce structures in the nanometer scale. Deposition and etch conditions can be chosen to create structures of a specific size to preferentially bind to specific biological materials.
Claims20
A method of forming an inhomogeneous surface comprising the steps of:
- depositing a discontinuous coating of atoms of a first substance on a substrate comprising a second substance, said first and second substances having first and second etch rates, respectively, wherein said first etch rate is different than said second etch rate;
- and,
- etching the substrate.
A method of preparing a substrate for cell attachment comprising the steps of:
- providing said substrate;
- and,
- depositing a coating of atoms on said substrate so that said atoms form clusters, each of said clusters having a size and a distance from other of said clusters.
A method of creating a surface for enhancing cell growth on said surface, said surface comprising a first substance, said method comprising the steps of:
- depositing a discontinuous coating of atoms of a second substance on said surface, wherein said first and second substances have first and second sputter yields, respectively, and said first and second sputter yields are different;
- and
- applying a voltage to said surface to cause sputtering.
A substrate arranged for cell attachment comprising:
- a surface;
- and
- a discontinuous coating of atoms on said surface, wherein said coating comprises a plurality of clusters of atoms, each of said plurality of clusters having lateral dimensions from about ten nanometers to about one thousand nanometers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.