Hydrophobic Cold Plasma Treated Surfaces in Ophthalmology

Hydrophobic Cold Plasma Treated Surfaces in Ophthalmology 

Most plasma-treated hydrophobic surfaces of biomaterials are formed with tetra-fluoromefhane (CF4) plasma interactions [3, 4]. The modified surface represents a nonadherent polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-like structure (-(CF2) -) with low surface energy that could vary from 20 mj mT down to only a few mj uT when the super-hydrophobic character is pronounced. The chosen operating conditions lead to a low fluorine atom density in the plasma, thus avoiding surface degradation. Such surfaces are applied in order to prevent the formation of the biofilm. 

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intra-ocular lenses provide an example. The adhesion of proteins, the resulting development of inflammatory cells, and the formation of cellular debris are mostly avoided when the substrate is treated in CF4 plasma. The modified surface corresponds to a smooth PTFE-like structure and the initial optical properties are not altered. As a result, cell activation and granulocyte adhesion are reduced. 

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