Laser interference patterning of diamond-like carbon layers for directed migration and growth of smooth muscle cell depositions

Seeding of cells on functional, biocompatible scaffolds is a crucial step in achieving the desired engineered tissue. The authors show the constructional solutions of the Nd:YAG pulse laser system with the Q-switch modulation for direct and interferential shaping of the surface of biocompatible materials. The two-channel interference system is distinguished by high control, simplicity and repetitiveness regarding laser energy level and dimensions of the surface structures. The experiments were conducted on hard, biocompatible substrates of amorphous carbon (diamond-like carbon, DLC) and were preliminarily tested on smooth muscle cell depositions.