Detection and removal of pathogenic biofilms on medical implant surfaces

Advances in sensor technology have had a significant impact in medical research and practice in the last decade. However, within the hospital environment problems still exist where the application of sensing technology could provide the solution. The presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria within hospitals and the risk of serious infection that they pose is a cause for concern. This paper describes a research project that has recently started at the University of Ulster investigating the potential of "Sense and Destroy" tactics to reduce the spread of medical device related infections. It is proposed that Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) probes implanted within a catheter may be used to detect subclinical biofilm formation. Furthermore, if the presence of a biofilm is detected, activation of a photocatalytic coating on the catheter wall may be used to inactivate the responsible microorganisms.