A surface energy analysis of bioadhesion

Abstract This report applies recently developed surface energy and fracture mechanics relations to the analysis of bioadhesion and biocompatibility. The dispersion α and polar β components of 190 biological and implant surfaces are analysed. The surface energetics relations between bioadhesion and biocompatibility point out that a strongly adsorbed plasma protein film on the implant surface provides the best blood compatibility and low thrombogenic effects. The surface energy relations provide means of selecting optimum implant surface properties and mapping on surface energy diagrams the three phase interactions which define bioadhesion.