DLC coating doped by specified elements as a biomaterial designed for individual patient needs

Currently, there are more and more new materials (nanomaterials) proposed for biological and medical applications. They are, among other things, the effect of surface modification. One of the most frequently used techniques, fairly widespread, is plasmo-chemical method of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating fabrication. There is many alterations of them, nevertheless all are characterized by short duration of the process and its economics. The final result does not require additional finishing treatments and the required coating properties can be controlled and obtained by selecting appropriate process parameters. Good mechanical and tribological properties, high corrosion resistance and its tolerance by biological systems have been documented in the literature. However, given the very wide range of applications of biomaterials found over time that the properties of carbon coatings are not always sufficient. The research conducting by scientific centres around the world have shown, however, that surface properties can be controlled by introducing specified elements into the DLC layer. Each of these added elements causes some properties change. Taking into consideration that we are dealing with biomaterials – the materials which are used in very harsh and demanding environment of a living organism, which also have a strong intra-individual variability, the solution in the form of material designed adequately to the needs of the individual patient is even more attractive and desirable. The DLC coatings doped by silver fulfilling constitute an innovative materials for biomedical application and are the subject of our investigations.