IUVSTA 15th International Vacuum Congress (IVC-15), AVS 48th International Symposium (AVS-48), 11th International Conference on Solid Surfaces (ICSS-11)
    Plasma Science Monday Sessions
       Session PS2-MoA

Paper PS2-MoA1
Treatment of Bone Tissue using an Inductively Coupled Plasma

Monday, October 29, 2001, 2:00 pm, Room 104

Session: Plasma Modification of Organics
Presenter: C.Y.M. Maurice, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
Authors: C.Y.M. Maurice, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
J.H.R. Feijen, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
E. Stoffels, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
G.M.W. Kroesen, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
Correspondent: Click to Email
Nowadays, the frontiers between physics, chemistry and biology are disappearing: polymer films are deposited via plasma processes, and numerous applications for medical purposes are emerging every day. However, the actual consequences of plasma interactions with organic matter have not yet been resolved. One of the interesting plasma applications is the possibility of refined modification of bone tissue. In this work we investigate the impact of positive ions formed in a low-pressure plasma on the bone surface. The sample is subjected to controlled ion bombardment and the post treatment response is investigated using microscopy. For plasma treatment we employ a low pressure Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) source. This type of reactor is capable of independently control the energy and the density of the positive ions impinging on the surface. At present, it is used for selective etching of inorganic samples. To monitor the ion energy, an energy resolved mass spectrometer is placed at the plane of the sample on the bombarded electrode and records the Ion Energy Distribution Functions. A Langmuir probe gives densities and potential measurements in the bulk plasma and the DSLIF (Doppler Shifted Laser Induced Fluorescence) technique gives access to IVDF’s (Ion Velocity Distribution Functions) of the plasma ions. We characterise the plasma produced ions while processing the bone samples. This kind of treatment can have a large impact on the structure of the bone surface, such as reducing micro fractures, or selectively removing cancer cells. Understanding plasma-surface interactions under vacuum conditions may be useful in the future for the design of an atmospheric plasma source for bone treatment.