Robust Nanoparticle-Derived Lubricious Antibiofilm Coating for Difficult-to-Coat Medical Devices with Intricate...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Infectious Disease Prevention
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Biofilm-related infections are a major complication of implanted medical devices.
• Existing antibiofilm coatings struggle with non-flat geometries and long-term efficacy.
• Developing robust coatings for diverse medical devices is a significant unmet need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a scalable, versatile nanoparticle-based antibiofilm coating for medical devices.
• To achieve long-term antibacterial activity and prevent biofilm formation on complex surfaces.
• To enhance the safety and efficacy of clinically used medical devices.

Main Methods:

• Developed a facile method using a catecholic organic-aqueous mixture for nanoparticle synthesis and deposition.
• Screened buffer mixtures to optimize polycatecholamine synthesis, nanoparticle formation, and stabilization.
• Synthesized polymer-silver composite nanoparticles via methanol-mediated reaction for coating diverse object geometries.

Main Results:

• The coating demonstrated high mechanical durability, lubricity, and long-term silver release (approx. 90 days).
• Achieved complete inhibition of bacterial adhesion and >99.999% killing efficacy against various bacteria, including Proteus mirabilis.
• Coated devices maintained efficacy after mechanical stress and extended storage, showing excellent in vivo biocompatibility and infection resistance.

Conclusions:

• A scalable nanoparticle-based silver composite coating effectively prevents biofilm infections on diverse medical devices.
• The developed coating offers long-term antibacterial activity, mechanical robustness, and biocompatibility.
• This approach provides a new strategy to create infection-resistant medical devices, addressing a critical clinical challenge.