Biomaterial Thin Films by Soft Pulsed Laser Technologies for Biomedical Applications

We review recent results on biomaterial nanostructured layers transferred by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). The chapter is organized according to three main applications of these nanostructures: drug delivery systems, biosensing and biomimetic coating of metallic implants. The synthesized layers were optimized based upon the results of investigations performed by physical–chemical methods. Biocompatibility and bioactivity were assessed by dedicated in vitro tests. From the first category we chose the composite alendronate–hydroxyapatite (HA). The coating of metallic implants with these layers demonstrated to enhance human osteoblasts proliferation and differentiation, while inhibiting osteoclasts growth, with benefic effects for the treatment of osteoporosis. Enzyme ribonuclease A (RNase A) immobilized on solid supports has applications in control of the enzymatic reaction, and improved stability as compared to the free enzyme. The results by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography showed that immobilization process does not affect the RNase A behavior. The transfer of pure levan and oxidized levan was obtained by MAPLE without any addition of plasticizers or pigments. The nanostructures exhibited high specific surface areas fully compatible with their potential use in drug delivery systems. For the second application, we refer to the transfer and immobilization of IgG molecules. We investigated the effect of the lipid addition in the initial solution upon the protein thin films adhesion to substrates. From the third class, we selected magnesium substituted octocalcium phosphate (OCP) and strontium substituted OCP deposited by MAPLE on Ti substrates which proved to enhance osteoblast activity and differentiation. We conclude that under optimized conditions, the thin films obtained by MAPLE were similar in composition, morphology and structure with the base material, and most likely preserved their functionality and biological performances.