Surface Characterization, Antimicrobial Effectiveness, and Human Cell Response for a Biomedical Grade Polyurethane
Chenyu Wang1, Olga Zolotarskaya1, Kayesh M Ashraf1
1Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering , Virginia Commonwealth University , Biotech8, 737 North Fifth Street , Richmond , Virginia 23219 , United States.
Abstract:
Infection is a serious medical complication associated with health care environments. Despite advances, the 5-10% incidence of infections for hospital patients is well documented. Sources of pathogenic organisms include medical devices such as catheters and endotracheal tubes. Offering guidance for curbing the spread of such infections, a model antimicrobial coating is described herein that kills bacteria on contact but is compatible with human cells. To achieve these characteristics, a novel blend of a conventional biomedical grade polyurethane (Tecoflex) with mixed soft block polyurethane is described. The functional polyurethane (UP-C12-50-T) has a copolyoxetane soft block P-C12-50 with quaternary ammonium (C12) and PEG-like side chains and a conventional poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO, T) soft block. DSC and DMA data point to limited miscibility of UP-C12-50-T with Tecoflex. The blend of Tecoflex with 10 wt % UP-C12-50-T designated UP-C12-50-T-10 radically changed surface properties. Evidence for surface concentration of the P-C12-50 soft block was obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic contact angles (DCAs), zeta potentials (ζ), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The antimicrobial effectiveness of the blend coatings was established by the ASTM E2149 "shake flask" test for challenges of E. coli and a methicillin resistant strain of S. epidermidis. Cytocompatibility was demonstrated with an in vitro test designed for direct contact (ISO 10993-5). Growth of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) beside and under UP-C12-50-T-10 indicated remarkable biocompatibility for a composition that is also strongly antimicrobial. Overall, the results point to a model coating with a level of P-C12-50 that combines high antimicrobial effectiveness and low toxicity to human cells.
Insights
A novel polyurethane coating kills bacteria on contact while remaining safe for human cells. This antimicrobial coating offers a promising solution to reduce healthcare-associated infections from medical devices.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a significant challenge, affecting 5-10% of hospital patients.
- Medical devices like catheters are common sources of pathogenic organisms contributing to HAIs.
- There is a critical need for advanced materials to mitigate infection spread in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel antimicrobial coating for medical devices.
- To evaluate the coating's ability to kill bacteria on contact while maintaining biocompatibility with human cells.
- To investigate the surface properties and antimicrobial efficacy of a specific polyurethane blend.
Main Methods:
- A novel polyurethane blend (UP-C12-50-T-10) was synthesized by combining a functional polyurethane with a conventional biomedical grade polyurethane (Tecoflex).
- Surface properties were analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic contact angles (DCAs), zeta potentials (ζ), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
- Antimicrobial effectiveness was tested against E. coli and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis using the ASTM E2149 shake flask method. Cytocompatibility was assessed using in vitro ISO 10993-5 standards with human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
Main Results:
- The UP-C12-50-T-10 blend demonstrated significant surface modification with preferential concentration of the functional soft block.
- The coating exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, effectively killing E. coli and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis.
- In vitro testing showed remarkable biocompatibility, with human mesenchymal stem cells growing well in the presence of the coating.
Conclusions:
- The developed polyurethane coating exhibits a dual function: high antimicrobial effectiveness and low toxicity to human cells.
- This novel biomaterial presents a promising strategy for reducing infections associated with medical devices.
- The results highlight the potential of this coating as a model solution for enhancing safety in healthcare environments.
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