Abstract
Despite advances in material sciences and clinical procedures for surgical hygiene, medical device implantation still exposes patients to the risk of developing local or systemic infections. The development of efficacious antimicrobial/antifouling materials may help with addressing such an issue. In this framework, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-grafted segmented polyurethanes were synthesized, physico-chemically characterized, and evaluated with respect to their bacterial fouling-resistance properties. PEG grafting significantly altered the polymer bulk and surface properties. Specifically, the PEG-grafted polyurethanes possessed a more pronounced hard/soft phase segregated microstructure, which contributed to improving the mechanical resistance of the polymers. The better flexibility of the soft phase in the PEG-functionalized polyurethanes compared to the pristine polyurethane (PU) was presumably also responsible for the higher ability of the polymer to uptake water. Additionally, dynamic contact angle measurements evidenced phenomena of surface reorganization of the PEG-functionalized polyurethanes, presumably involving the exposition of the polar PEG chains towards water. As a consequence, Staphylococcus epidermidis initial adhesion onto the surface of the PEG-functionalized PU was essentially inhibited. That was not true for the pristine PU. Biofilm formation was also strongly reduced.
Highlights
Polymeric materials have a prominent place in biomedical applications, due to their broad range of physico-chemical properties that can be tailored to fit a wide plethora of applications [1,2,3]
Msiool.nS.ci.P2E01U8,A19,ixsFaORhPeEmERo-RcEoVmIEpWatible polymer, which was synthesized for the first tim3 eofb1y6 our group [43], and it contains interesting elastomeric properties and biocompatibilities
The functionalization of a thermoplastic polyurethane with polyethylene glycol (PEG) resulted in a material with superior elastomeric properties, and the ability to prevent the adhesion of the Gram-positive S. epidermidis, a microbial pathogen that is commonly isolated in medical device-related infections
Summary
Polymeric materials have a prominent place in biomedical applications, due to their broad range of physico-chemical properties that can be tailored to fit a wide plethora of applications [1,2,3]. Segmented polyurethanes (PUs) are among the most important classes of biomedical polymers, mainly due to their excellent hemocompatibility and unique mechanical properties deriving from the presence of hard segment-rich and soft segment-rich domains in a phase-separated microstructure. Such hard/soft-phase segregation in the polymer permits the combination of elastomeric properties that are typical of rubbers, with high mechanical resistance properties typical of thermoplastic materials [4]. Despite the benefits of using PUs for intravascular devices manufacturing, complications are still associated with their use These materials do not protect patients from the risk of developing localized or systemic bloodstream infections [6,7]. Instead, mainly involve the functionalization of material surfaces, to meet some criteria that are well-recognized to confer repelling activities, which include strong hydrophilicity, neutral charge, and the presence of groups that are able to establish hydrogen bonds [25]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
