Abstract
“Biomaterials” are non-living substances selected to have predictable interactions with contacting biological phases, in applications ranging from medical/dental implants to food processing to control of biofouling in the sea. More than 30 years of empirical observations of the surface behaviours of various materials in biological settings, when correlated with the contact-angle-determined Critical Surface Tensions (CST) for these same materials, support the definition of the “theta surface”. The “theta surface” is that characteristic expression of outermost atomic features least retentive of depositing proteins, and identified by the bioengineering criterion of having measured CST between 20 and 30 mN/m. Biomaterials applications requiring strong bioadhesion must avoid this range, while those requiring easy release of accumulating biomass should have “theta surface” qualities. Selection of blood-compatible materials is a main example. It is forecast that future biomaterials will be safely and effectively translated directly to clinical use, without requiring animal testing, based on laboratory data for CST, protein denaturation, and cell spreading alone.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
D. W. GOUPIL, V. A. DEPALMA and R. E. BAIER, Prospects for nontoxic fouling-resistant paints. In Proceedings, Marine Industries: Problems & Opportunities, 9 (Annual Conference, Marine Technology Society, Washington, DC, 1973) pp. 445– 458.
R. E. BAIER, E. G. SHAFRIN and W. A. ZISMAN, Science 162 (1968) 1360–1368.
R. E. BAIER and R. C. DUTTON, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 3 (1969) 191–206.
R. E. BAIER, Surface properties influencing biological adhesion, Chapter 2 in “Adhesion in Biological Systems,” edited by R. S. Manley (Academic Press New York, 1970) pp. 15–48.
R. E. BAIER, G. I. LOEB and G. T. WALLACE, Federation Proc. 30 (1971) 1523–1538.
R. E. BAIER, Ann. New York Acad. Scie. 283 (1977) 17–36.
R. E. BAIER, Conditioning surfaces to suit the biomedical environment: Recent progress. J. Biomech. Eng. 104 (1982) 257– 271.
R. E. BAIER, A. E. MEYER, V. A. DEPALMA, R. W. KING and M. S. FORNALIK, J. Heat. Trans. 105 (1983) 618–624.
R. E. BAIER, A. E. MEYER, J. R. NATIELLA, R. R. NATIELLA and J. M. CARTER, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 18 (1984) 337–355.
A. W. WELLS, A. E. MEYER, J. A. MATOUSEK, R. E. BAIER and E. F. NEUHAUSER, Amer. Soc. Civil Engi. 1 (1997) 451–460
E. G. SHAFRIN and W. A. ZISMAN, J. Phys. Chem. 71 (1967) 1309–1316.
M. E. SCHRADER, J. Coll. Interf. Sci. 88 (1982) 296–297.
The behavior of blood and its components at Interfaces. “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences,” Vol. 283, edited by L. Vroman and Ed. F. Leonard, 1977.
Blood in contact with natural and artificial surfaces. “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences,” Vol. 516, edited by Edward F. Leonard, Vincent T. Turitto and Leo Vroman, 1987.
R. E. BAIER, A. E. MEYER, J. R. NATIELLA, R. R. NATIELLA and J. M. CARTER, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 18 (1984) 337–355.
A. E. MEYER, V. A. DEPALMA, D. W. GOUPIL and R. E. BAIER, Bioelectrochem. Bioenergetics 16 (1986) 27–41.
R. E. BAIER, V. A. DEPALMA, D. W. GOUPIL and E. COHEN, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 19 (1985) 1157–1167.
A. E. MEYER, Reference materials. chapter 11 in “Handbook of Biomaterials Evaluation,” edited by A. F. von Recum (Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, 1986) pp. 131–139.
H. DARDIK, K. WENGERTER, F. QIN, A. PANGILINAN, F. SILVESTRI, F. WOLODIGER, M. KAHN, B. SUSSMAN and I. M. IBRAHIM, J. Vasc. Surg. 35 (2002) 64–71.
R. BAIER, Biocompatibility of engineering materials. Article no. #116 in “Encyclopedia of Biomedical Engineering” (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ) 2006, 12 pp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baier, R.E. Surface behaviour of biomaterials: The theta surface for biocompatibility. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 17, 1057–1062 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-006-0444-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-006-0444-8