Laser Structuring for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

AbstractLaser structuring enables modification of sample topography, surface chemistry, and/or physical properties of materials. Examples of these processes are ripple, nap or wall formation, surface oxidation, induction of polymerization reactions, or changes in crystallinity or contact angle. These – most of the time – interrelated modifications are exploited widely for biomedical applications. They range from cell-repellent surfaces for easy-to-replace cardiac pacemakers, control of cell proliferation required in regenerative medicine, to increased cell adhesion for cell arrays. Furthermore, ns-laser-induced nanoripples were used for formation of gold nanowires for future surface plasmon resonance sensors directly integrated into biotechnological devices. Additive nano- and microscale manufacturing by two-photon polymerization allows for considerable progress in cell scaffold formation, paving the path for in vitro–grown organs, bones, and cartilages. The very same fs-laser-based technique was also used for biomimetic microneedles with enhanced liquid spreading on their surface. Microneedles are promising candidates for low-cost, high-throughput drug delivery and vaccination applicable even by nonmedically trained personnel. Microfluidic systems fabricated by fs-lasers have enabled progress in 3D microscopy of single cells and in studies on thrombocyte activation with the help of nanoanchors. Explicating the abovementioned and further biomedical applications, the authors put special focus on the achieved limits pointing out what scientists have accomplished so far in their pursuit of extreme scales.