Materials-Based Approach to Implant Infection Mitigation

Bacterial biofilm infection is a common (~ 2 to 4%) complication for recipients of surgically implanted medical devices.  Due to the tremendous chemical resistance of these biofilms, present treatment is a combination of antibiotics and replacement of the device, often requiring multiple surgeries.  The objective of the current study is to determine the feasibility of using heat to deactivate biofilm as an alternative therapy.  It is hypothesized that heat can be used to thermally eradicate the biofilm.  In this study, Psuedomonas aeruginosa biofilm was cultured (37°C, 5% CO2 for 72 hours using glucose-enhanced media) and subjected to heat shocks.  The live cell count per area was quantified for both control and heat shocked samples using confocal fluorescent microscopy.  Decreased live cell count per area correlated to biofilm deactivation due to the heat shock and established the feasibility of thermal deactivation of infectious biofilms.  Nanoparticle composite implant coatings for precise delivery of this heat via magnetic induction will be discussed.