Blood platelets in contact with nanocrystalline diamond surfaces

The stainless steel (AISI 316L) and nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) deposited on stainless steel substrates by Radio Frequency Plasma Chemical Vapour Deposition (RF PCVD), predicted for use as coatings for medical applications, were studied by a meaning of blood platelet adhesion. After 12 h contact with platelet poor plasma (PPP) and additional 1 h with citrated whole human blood, platelets present at the surface were found to spread on the stainless steel but not on nanocrystalliane diamond surfaces. The only exception made damaged fragments of NCD surfaces, where we have found adhered blood platelets and other blood cells. The results indicate favorable properties of NCD surface in contact with human blood.