Coatings & surface treatment


A coat for


ach year, there are almost two million healthcare-associated infections due to medical devices or implants, according to the National Institutes of Health. Latching onto the surface of a medical device implanted in the body, these bacteria trigger a foreign body reaction and lead to infection. This can lead to discomfort, patients needing more treatment, and surgery to


E 110


every occasion


Roughly 1% of patients who undergo hip or knee replacements can develop an infection post- operation. Recently, researchers at Colorado State University and the University of St Andrews in Scotland have developed an effective and fl exible antimicrobial material to coat internal medical devices. Combining both universities’ research, the membrane slowly releases nitric oxide that kills bacteria and fungus over an extended time. Phoebe Galbraith speaks to Melissa Reynolds, Boettcher Investigator and chemistry professor at Colorado State University, and Russell E Morris, Bishop Wardlaw professor, School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, to fi nd out how this coating could offer a non-drug-based route to preventing infection.


replace the implant. To fight infection, medical devices usually have a coating that contains antimicrobial properties to fight bacteria and help reduce infection. One such coating is silver, which is traditionally quite a common material used in medical devices to help prevent complications due to its antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities, as well as being a biocompatible and cost-effective option.


Medical Device Developments / www.nsmedicaldevices.com


Siberian Art; bht2000/Shutterstock.com


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