Evolution of electro-induced blood plasma droplets on a superhydrophobic microstructured surface

Abstract

Formation of severe adhesion on electrosurgical devices during their interaction with biofluids is an inherent problem that often causes reduced cutting efficiency and failed hemostasis. The introduction of (super-) hydrophobic surfaces is a favorable option for anti-adhesion, but the mechanisms related to their evolution with biofluids under electric fields are still not fully understood. Here, we investigated the evolution of blood plasma droplets on a superhydrophobic microstructured (SHM) surface under direct-current (DC) and alternating-current (AC) electric fields. The electrolysis of plasma droplets leads to the formation and diffusion of bubbles accompanied by a rise in temperature, while in turn, the electrolysis is suppressed as the bubbles fill the droplets, followed by a decrease in temperature. We show that under the DC electric field, the bubbles produced by papillae on the SHM surface can effectively prevent directional adsorption of plasma proteins compared to the flat surface, whereas the AC electric field induces oscillations in plasma proteins, resulting in even less adhesion. These findings provide valuable basic information for understanding the anti-adhesion mechanism of electrosurgical devices at a microscopic level.