Diamond and Diamond-like Carbon Coated Surfaces as Biomaterials

Biomaterials are generally synthetic, non-living materials for therapeutical (e. g. implants) and diagnostical use in medicine and direct contact to biological tissue. Thus, they are in chemical, physical and biological interaction to the biological systems (cells, extracellular matrix, body fluids, etc.) and must fulfil biocompatible properties - with long-term reduction of negative influence (inflammation, immunological, toxicological, mutagenic, allergic, etc.) to the surrounding tissue. Carbon is one of the materials of highest biocompatibility and often used as implant material. Carbon-based coatings - like diamond, diamondlike carbon (even with dopants) - are able to biologically functionalize less biocompatible bulk materials, however with various successes. This review work will focus on the biocompatibility of carbon-based coatings and will give additionally introduction in the interaction of biomaterials to living tissue.