Papers by Author: Stéphane Turgeon

Abstract: Surgical implantation of metallic stents is today a common procedure for restoring narrowed arteries. However, main complications as in-stent restenosis, partial or total thrombosis, inflammation and devices degradation are still a serious clinical concern. The coating of stents with fluorocarbon (CF_x) ultrathin films represents a valuable strategy to limit these complications. Moreover, an additional step for the modification of some key surface properties of CF_x coatings could further enhance their blood compatibility. Therefore, the objective of this work was to develop an oxidation process specific to ultrathin CF_x coatings based on a methanol plasma treatment to modulate their biological response. Oxidized and non-oxidized coatings were investigated by XPS, ToF-SIMS, water contact angle, SEM and AFM. Tunable oxidation of the surface of CF_x coatings was obtained by methanol plasma treatment, thus producing an increase of surface wettability, without affecting morphology, roughness and adhesion of the coatings. Blood test results showed an increased hemocompatibility of the oxidized samples, confirming the hypothesis that such treatment can succeed in modulating the blood contact behavior of the CF_x oxidized coatings.

Abstract: As intravascular biomedical devices, metallic stents are particularly susceptible to corrosion induced by the physiological environment, causing the degradation of mechanical properties and leading to the release of toxic and carcinogenic ions from the SS316L bulk. Therefore, several works have been focused on the development of an ultra-thin fluorocarbon coating that could act both as a drug-carrier for in-stent restenosis and as an anti-corrosion barrier. However, the increase of the corrosion performance was limited by the inevitable permeability of the coating, which exposed some of the sensitive interfacial region to the corrosive environment. Indeed, in previous works, adhesion and growth rate of the film were promoted by the removal of the native oxide layer of the stainless steel which is inhomogeneous, brittle and mechanically unstable. Further refinements of the interface are therefore required in order to enhance the overall corrosion performance without compromising the fluorocarbon film properties and adhesion. Hence, the aim of this work was to enhance the corrosion behaviour of coated SS316L by the creation of a controlled interfacial oxide layer. The native oxide layer was first removed under vacuum and the bare metal surface was subjected to a plasma-reoxidation treatment. Tafel measurements were used to assess the corrosion rates of the specimens. Coated and uncoated modified interfaces were also characterized by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).

Abstract: Infrared (IR) emission spectroscopy measurements were performed in N₂ microwave discharges at pressures ranging from 0.5 to 3 Torr and powers of 200 and 300 W. Although emission spectroscopy in the infrared region has rarely been investigated, this technique has nevertheless provided numerous key data. For instance, numerical generation of spectra to match experimental FTIR emission data allowed estimating the plasma temperature.

Abstract: Several studies have shown that 65 % of expanded poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) vascular prostheses had to be explanted within 10 years of implantation in humans. The reasons for these explantations relied on thrombosis formation and poor hemocompatibility of synthetic polymers. It has been shown that surface modification of ePTFE arterial prostheses could enable their endothelialization therefore improving their biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. Indeed, endothelial cells naturally cover the biological blood vessel wall and consequently, an endothelial layer constitutes the best achievable hemocompatible surface. In this context, our strategy consisted in micropatterning cell adhesion (RGD) and proliferation (WQPPRARI) peptides on the surface of plasma-functionalized PTFE, therefore enabling covalent conjugation of the peptides. Basically, the technology consisted in spraying a solution of the adhesion peptide, therefore leading to 10 µm-diameter RGD spots semi-randomly distributed over the sample and covering 20 % of the whole polymer surface. In a second step, proliferation peptide was applied to the remaining surface by soaking, therefore covering the unreacted surface. The 20 % coverage was obtained by using an x-y table, programmed to move from side to side of the surface on x value, with an increment on y value that has been calibrated.

Abstract: Commonly made of 316L stainless steel and nitinol, metallic intravascular stents are medical devices used to scaffold a biological lumen, most often diseased arteries. While stenting procedures reduce the risk of restenosis, they do not eliminate it completely. Furthermore, other common complications observed are thrombosis, inflammation and corrosion of the stents. The corrosion of the device is induced by blood flow which provokes a degradation of its mechanical properties and leads to a high risk of release of potentially toxic metallic compounds, such as nickel-based oxides and metal ions. To lower these clinical complication rates and to prevent the corrosion of the metallic stent structure, coated stents have been developed during the last decade. Indeed, the coating is expected to improve the surface biocompatibility and corrosion resistance without compromising the stainless steel mechanical properties required for the stent implantation. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already provided guidance on a series of non-clinical test protocols, methods and reports to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of intravascular stents. Properties such as the stability, durability, and adhesion of a stent coating, prior and after deployment, must be clearly assessed to demonstrate its efficiency. This study wants to evaluate the effectiveness against general and local corrosion of an ultra-thin fluorocarbon film deposited by plasma on pre-treated stainless steel. Cyclic polarization tests were used to measure the coating capacity to protect the substrate from localized corrosion and Tafel plot corrosion measurements were used to evaluate the general corrosion behaviour of uncoated and coated, flat and deformed samples.