DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON IN VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES: HISTORY, TECHNIQUES, APPLICATIONS, AND HEMOCOMPATIBILITY

Authors

  • Rosa Corrêa Leoncio de Sá Universidade de São Paulo – Escola Politécnica – Departamento de Engenharia Metalúrgica e de Materiais – São Paulo (SP), Brazil|Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais – Laboratório Associado de Sensores e Materiais – São José dos Campos (SP), Brazil|Instituto Federal de São Paulo – Laboratório de Bioengenharia e Biomateriais – São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
  • Tarcísio Fernandes Leão Instituto Federal de São Paulo – Laboratório de Bioengenharia e Biomateriais – São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
  • Evandro Drigo da Silva Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares – Centro de Lasers e Aplicações – São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
  • Guilherme Barbosa Lopes Junior Instituto Federal de São Paulo – Laboratório de Bioengenharia e Biomateriais – São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
  • Breno Nishida Instituto Federal de São Paulo – Laboratório de Bioengenharia e Biomateriais – São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
  • José Ricardo Correa de Sousa Sobrinho Instituto Federal de São Paulo – Laboratório de Bioengenharia e Biomateriais – São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
  • Marco Antonio Ramirez-Ramos University of Texas – Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry – El Paso (TX), United States.
  • João Roberto Moro Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais – Laboratório Associado de Sensores e Materiais – São José dos Campos (SP), Brazil|Instituto Federal de São Paulo – Laboratório de Bioengenharia e Biomateriais – São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
  • Evaldo José Corat Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais – Laboratório Associado de Sensores e Materiais – São José dos Campos (SP), Brazil.
  • Vladimir Jesus Trava-Airoldi Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais – Laboratório Associado de Sensores e Materiais – São José dos Campos (SP), Brazil.
  • Eduardo Guy Perpétuo Bock Instituto Federal de São Paulo – Laboratório de Bioengenharia e Biomateriais – São Paulo (SP), Brazil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17563/rbav.v44i1.1275

Keywords:

Diamond-like carbon, Biomaterials for cardiology, Hemocompatibility, Ventricular assist devices, DLC coatings

Abstract

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings have become a prominent strategy to enhance the performance and hemocompatibility of ventricular assist devices (VADs). This review presents a comprehensive overview of the historical development of DLC coatings for VADs, the main DLC deposition techniques, types of blood pumps, substrate materials, and specific applications in VADs. DLC coatings, deposited via methods such as plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, offer high hardness, chemical inertness, excellent wear resistance, and hemocompatibility, making them suitable for blood-contacting components in continuousflow centrifugal pumps and continuous axial-flow pumps. The ability to apply DLC to various substrates, including metals and polymers, further broadens its biomedical utility. Comparative analysis with other hemocompatible coatings, such as heparin, titanium nitride, and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymers, demonstrates that DLC provides a unique balance of durability and blood compatibility, although challenges remain regarding long-term adhesion and stability. Advances in doped and nanostructured DLC films continue to improve antimicrobial and antithrombotic properties. Overall, DLC coatings represent a significant advancement in the quest for safer, longer-lasting VADs, but further research is needed to optimize their clinical performance and address remaining limitations.

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Published

2025-12-18

Issue

Vol. 44 (2025): Special Edition - 45 Years of Revista Brasileira de Aplicações de Vácuo

Section

Review Article

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Copyright (c) 2025 Rosa Corrêa Leoncio de Sá, Tarcísio Fernandes Leão, Evandro Drigo da Silva, Guilherme Barbosa Lopes Junior, Breno Nishida, José Ricardo Correa de Sousa Sobrinho, Marco Antonio Ramirez-Ramos, João Roberto Moro, Evaldo José Corat, Vladimir Jesus Trava-Airoldi, Eduardo Guy Perpétuo Bock

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