Synthesis and blood compatibility of rutile-type titanium oxide coated LTI-carbon

Titanium oxide films were synthesized by ion beam enhanced deposition, where the films were prepared by depositing titanium atoms and simultaneously bombarding with Xe(+) ions at an energy of 40 keV in an O(2) environment. The titanium oxide films exhibit rutile-type structure with (100) orientation and the O/Ti ratio is about 2:1. Ti(2+), Ti(3+) and Ti(4+) coexist in the films.In vitro andin vivo investigations were used to investigate the blood compatibility of titanium oxide films. The results show that the blood compatibility of rutile-type titanium oxide fi is better than that of low temperature isotropic pyrolytic carbon (LTI-carbon), which is widely used to fabricate artificial heart valve. It is thought that rutile-type titanium oxide coated LTI-carbon most probably becomes new biomaterial to fabricate artificial heart valves.