SURFACE MODIFICATION OF EXPANDED POLY(TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE) BY MEANS OF MICROWAVE PLASMA TREATMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT OF ADHESION AND GROWTH OFHUMAN ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

Surface modification of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) vas cular prostheses was carried out by means of low pressure microwave pl asma treatment. Hydrogen/water vapour mixtures (containing excess of h ydrogen) were shown to be efficient with respect to functionalization of PTFE. The results of treatments in dependence on various gas pressu res and treatment times were detected by physicochemical techniques (z eta potential, wetting measurements) and by surface spectroscopy (XPS, ATR-FTIR). Furthermore, adhesion and proliferation of human endotheli al cells from umbilical cord (HUVEC) onto modified ePTFE were observed in vitro in culture media. The results of this biological test of pla sma treated materials correlate well with physicochemical surface para meters.