The advent of new material to the development of medical devices to be put into new era reduce the failure rate

Recently, from the UK science "was informed that, in the country's scientists has found a new antibacterial polymer, with the aid of this material, will effectively reduce the medical equipment in the process of using failure rate, reduce the probability of bacterial infection. Survey data display and medical equipment related infection can cause systemic infection or equipment failure, only a year in the UK cause of medical security system and cost nearly 1 billion pounds, this new materials will come out will greatly to solve this problem.

This to include urinary tract and venous catheter, a lot of commonly used equipment affect bacteria can form is called biological membrane colony. This kind of a large number of the agglomeration of biological membrane form can protect bacteria from a person's own defense system and the influence of the antibiotics.

The findings obtained from the Massachusetts institute of technology (MIT) scientists assistance. They first to thousands of unique polymer simultaneously screening method. Alexander said: "this is an important scientific breakthrough. We found a series of structure related new materials, can greatly reduce pathogenic bacteria (pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus and escherichia coli) attached." "But the current to bacteria and surface interaction understanding not enough to achieve this new discovery. And help at the Massachusetts institute of technology research and development of new technology means that hundreds of thousands of material can also be screening, in order to reveal the structure and nature of the relationship between". Alexander said.

In laboratory tests, the researchers effective against bacteria in the mice implanted infection model attached. On the market and sales of silver catheter, compared to 96.7% reduction of the amount of bacteria. Through the prevent bacteria, the body's own immune system can they form biofilm kill them before.

"The patient care is a very big challenge, for implant like interventional catheter, heart valve, artificial joint and medical devices for patients is particularly so. These new polymer discovery is a very good example, it illustrates how to use materials science progress, help people to improve the key medical element performance. Like material science bring us a large saute pan over medium-high heat, we also look forward to" no stick 'bacteria medical instrument was born that day."

The researchers say that the next phase of the study will be on the coating production of development, to ensure that the new material withstand clinical evaluation. The inventor is also working with the medical equipment company in the early stage of the negotiation.