Biocompatible surfaces to minimise medical device associated infections

(gefördert durch: EU Commission)

Projektpartner

• BioScan BV, B Bilthoven, Netherlands
  
• Martin-Luther-University Halle Wittenberg
• Bekaert-Timeda BV, Enschede, Netherlands
• The Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research at the Norwegian Institute of Technology, Trondheim, Norway
• Dept. of Communication Computer and System Sciences - University of Genova, Genova, Italy
• RILAB Development Division, Genova, Italy

Projektinhalt

In general, medical device associated infections are thought to strongly involved with the attachment of bacteria to the device surface. Therefore the primary goal of our investigations is the establishment of an optimal function of a catheter surface by making highly specific biomimetic modifications in order to avoid bacterial adhesion as the prerequisite of infections. The purpose of this project is to create a thin but very stable anti-adhesive barrier onto different polymer surfaces. This aim is approached by organising a highly ordered and densely packed lipid monolayer at the surface of a polymer material based on polymerised tetraetherlipids (TEL) which show a high anti-fouling potential caused by their tailor-made-physico-chemical characterisation of the different surface modified polymers and of the different bacterial microorganisms responsible for biofilm accumulation and thus for bacterial infections. The innovative aspects of this project are the development of thin and stable anti-adhesive biomimetic or biomembrane-like surface coatings based on polmerizable tetraetherlipid (TEL) coatings and coating processes for industrial applications to commonly used polymers. The innovative character of the project includes the value-added product and process technology as well as a strong increase of user-friendliness and cost reduction for medical therapies connected with the expected reduction in morbidity and mortality especially in high risk patient populations.