Surface modification by plasma-based processes

In this chapter, the use of plasma processes technology in the biomedical field is presented. The introduction focuses on plasmas and the associated techniques employed to modify surfaces of a wide variety of materials. The versatility of plasma-based treatments allows the design of special function-oriented surfaces for medical devices, which are presented next. An overview of the plasma-based thin films and surface treatments is included for a number of applications ranging from the improvement of mechanical properties and the modification of the surface chemistry of materials to regulate the interaction with living tissues, diagnostics, and drug delivery.