SURFACE MODIFICATION OF SILICONE-RUBBER MEMBRANE BY PLASMA-INDUCED GRAFT-COPOLYMERIZATION AS ARTIFICIAL CORNEA

In this study a highly biocompatible polymer membrane was prepared by surface modification. An artificial cornea was also developed for clin ical applications. Silicone rubber (SR) membrane was grafted with hydr ophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acryli c acid by plasma induced grafted polymerization. Surface properties of the SR were characterized using secondary ions mass spectra, Fourier transform infrared/attenuated total reflection, and element spectra fo r chemical analysis. The corneal epithelial (CE) cell was cultured in vitro, and penetrating keratoplasty of albino rabbit cornea (in vivo) was performed to evaluate biological properties of modified SR membran es, The ability of the CE cell to attach onto various SR membranes was observed by inverted microscopy. The proliferation of CE cell was con ducted in approximately 96 h. Experimental results indicated that the attachment and growth of CE onto SR-g-pHEMA (75 mu g/cm(2)) is enhance d. The morphologies of an attached CE cell are similar to those of a p rimary CE cell. In the in vivo study, the depth of anterior chamber wa s maintained 2 weeks after penetrating keratoplasty was performed with a SR grafted with pHEMA (210 mu g/cm(2)). This phenomenon displayed a high biocompatibility of modified SR membrane with the CE cell, Furth ermore, results in this study provide a valuable reference for applica tion of the modified SR for an artificial cornea.