Improving the biocompatibility of medical implants with plasma immersion ion implantation

Materials for medical applications form a huge market, in volume as well as in diversity. Depending on the specific application, different materials are used. For instance, in jaw and skull surgery the osseointegration behavior is the deciding factor, whereas for material in contact with blood, e.g. artificial heart valves the prevention of platelet adhesion and subsequent clotting is the main focus. Furthermore, mechanical properties like wear, hardness and elastic modulus can have an important influence on biocompatibility. In this review, the possibilities of plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) for improving the biocompatibility of medical implants are shown. Specific examples for total hip replacements, titanium based osteosynthesis plates and carbon based heart valves are given.