A method of forming a biocompatible or biologically inert article for use in an application in which the article will make contact with at least one tissue, organ, or fluid within a human or animal body is provided. The method generally comprises providing an article having an external surface selecting chemical precursors using a means to direct one or more chemical precursors towards or to apply such chemical precursors to the external surface activating the chemical precursors by exposing said precursors to atmospheric pressure plasma and grafting and/or cross-linking the chemical precursors to form a solid coating adjacent to the external surface of the article.
