title: Plasma surface modification as a new approach to protect urinary catheter againstEscherichia colibiofilm formation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Biomaterials are widely used in medical devices such as urinary catheters. One of the main problems associated with long term using of the urinary catheters is biofilm formation on their surfaces. Many techniques have been presented to reduce the biofilm formation. One of the most revolutionary techniques allowing such surface fictionalization is plasma surface modification.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, a glow discharge plasma (GDP) effect onEscherichia colibiofilm formation on the surface of urinary catheter in the pressure of 1.6 × 10-1Torr of nitrogen, discharge voltage about 1.2 kV and current of 150 mA for 20 minutes has been investigated. Crystal violet binding assay and sonication method were performed in order to evaluate the amount of biofilm formation on tested biomaterials.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Characterization of modified surfaces by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (ATR-FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed a noticeable change in hydrophobicity and roughness of catheter surfaces achieved by nitrogen plasma. The results of crystal violet binding assay and sonication method showed that the amount of biofilm formation on modified surface was about 86% less than the pristine sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma surface modification can reduce the risk of infections in patients with long-term use of urinary catheters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Taheran
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zarrini
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Applied Physics and Astronomy, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sirous
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khorram
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Applied Physics and Astronomy, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Sadegh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Zakerhamidi
keywords: Biofilm; Catheter; Glow discharge plasma; Plasma treatment; Surface modification