Persistent Inhibition of Cell Growth on Silver Implanted Glassy Polymeric Carbon

We have shown that silver ion implantation or argon ion assisted surface deposition of silver inhibits cell growth on Glassy Polymeric Carbon (GPC), a desirable improvement of current cardiac implants. In vitro biocompatibility tests have been carried out with model cell lines to demonstrate that near surface implantation of silver in GPC can completely inhibit cell attachment on implanted areas while leaving adjacent areas vulnerable to strong cell adhesion. After cleaning and sterilization and more than one year in physiologic solution, the silver implanted GPC persists in inhibiting cell attachment.