Methods

Elastomer Sample Preparation

 Silicone elastomer samples were prepared as described in the previous chapter.

The four elastomer formulations reported in Table 4.1 were used for this portion of the

study. Cure times and curing agent amounts are listed in the previous chapter, Table 3.3.

For all samples, constant thickness was maintained at 3 mm with the use of appropriate

spacers between glass plates. Textured sample were cast directly off silicon wafers with

the patterns etched into the surface. Untextured films were cast between two PET sheets

attached to glass plates. Samples were cut out using a punch with an interior diameter of

14.37 mm and outer diameter of 15.53 mm. All samples were sterilized in the same

fashion by rinsing with 70% EtOH and drying overnight in a sterile hood.

Surface Treatment by Fibronectin

 Some surfaces were coated with fibronectin (FN) as described in the previous

chapter. Sterilized samples were placed in a 16 mm diameter well of a 24 well place,

and a 50 [tg/mL solution of FN was added in 0.5 mL aliquots to each well with a sample.

After exposure to vacuum to remove trapped air, samples were left to incubate for 1 hour

at room temperature. The FN solution was aspirated out and then the samples were

washed 3X with Hank's BSS.

Surface Treatment by RFGD Plasma

 Textured surfaces were exposed to an argon RFGD plasma at 50 W for 5 minutes

as described in the previous chapter after sterilization by EtOH. The argon regulator was

set at 20 psi and the flowrate was 200 sccm. Samples were treated 4 at a time, 5.5 cm

below the RF coils, with one sample from each material per treatment to ensure similar

surface modification between batches. After treatment, the samples were moved to a