Antimicrobial
Plastics Used In Medical Devices Prevent Hospital Related Preventions
The market for plastic medical
devices is growing despite the global economic slowdown. Although medical
devices may differ widely in design and use characteristics, certain factors
determine susceptibility of a device to microbial contamination and biofilm
formation: duration of use, number and type of organisms to which the device is
exposed, flow rate and composition of the medium in or on the device, device
material construction and conditioning films on the device.
5-10% of hospital patients
acquire hospital related infections in the United States alone. The most common
post operative infections are urinary tract infection, surgical site infection
and pneumonia. These post operative infections prolong the patient’s hospital
stay by about 4-5 days, increasing cost of hospitalization. Almost 30% of these
infections are considered to be preventable. Many of these infections occur due
to formation of biofilms of implanted medical devices. Microbial biofilms
develop when microorganisms adhere to a submerged surface and produce
extracellular polymers that facilitate adhesion to a surface that may be inert,
nonliving material or living tissue. Biofilms can develop on the simplest of
medical devices, such as contact lenses, or on more complex items such as
prosthetic joints, mechanical heart valves and pacemakers. Hence, the medical
device industry is challenged to develop biomaterials with inbu ilt
antimicrobial surface properties without deterioration in processability and low
surface migration or lower leachable substances, for reducing device-centered
infection. But most approaches to date have used drug-eluting compounds or
coatings that are eventually consumed. It is much more desirable to have easily
processed biomaterials with good wet-strength and long-term efficacy without
leachable additives, drugs or biocides. A growing risk of hospital originated
infections is causing the industry to increasingly turn to antimicrobial
plastics for application in medical devices that can protect against pathogens
while remaining cost-effective. The basic requirements for antimicrobials used
as either biostabilizers or active ingredients are:
-
Low toxicity to humans, animals,
and the environment (during manufacture and under conditions of use)
-
Easy application
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Compatibility with processing
aids, other additives
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No negative impact on properties
or appearance of the plastic article, its storage stability, or useful life
(Ref :
http://www.plastemart.com/Plastic-Technical-Article.asp?LiteratureID=1369&Paper=Antimicrobial-plastics-in-medical-devices-prevent-hospital-related-infections).
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