Surface implantation treatments to prevent infection complications in short term devices.
Surface treatments of short term devices are actually evaluated to reduce the risk of infections, which in particular are one of the main causes of complications following catheter insertion. We have investigated the efficacy of ion beam techniques to reduce bacterial adhesion-or to induce bactericidal activity of different polymer materials: PVC, silicone rubber, poly(urethane) and poly(ethylene). Two routes have been evaluated, based on the production of non fouling surfaces, through the production of diamond-like surfaces upon irradiation with rare gases, or the implantation of silver, known for its bactericidal action. In this contribution we discuss more specifically the treatment of poly(ethylene), where a broad range of surface characterisation techniques could show that the biological activity resulted from the formation of metallic colloidal silver near the surface of the polymer, associated to the formation of a dense surface acting as a diffusion barrier. Reduction of the implantation energy to 10 keV, led to activity enhancement resulting from the easier accessibility of surface colloids evidenced by AFM microscopy. This study emphasises the specific processes induced by the formation of silver nano-particles at low energy implantation, which differs basically from Ion Beam Assisted Deposition (IBAD technique) leading to the formation of a continuous silver coating (Artif. Organs 18 (1994) 266; International Patent (PCT) WO 95/18637 (1995)).
Davenas
J
J
Laboratoire des Matériaux Polymères et Biomatériaux, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 43 Bd du 11 novembre, 69100 Villeurbanne, France. davenas@matplast.univ-lyon1.fr
Thévenard
P
P
Philippe
F
F
Arnaud
M N
MN
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D012834:Silver; D020959:Polyethylene