Anti-bacterial Treatment of Polyethylene by Cold Plasma for Medical Purposes

Abstract

Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely used polymers in many industrial applications. Biomedical uses seem to be attractive, with increasing interest. However, PE it prone to infections and its additional surface treatment is indispensable. An increase in resistance to infections can be achieved by treating PE surfaces with substances containing antibacterial groups such as triclosan (5-Chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) and chlorhexidine (1,1'-Hexamethylenebis[5-(4-chlorophenyl)biguanide]). This work has examined the impact of selected antibacterial substances immobilized on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) via polyacrylic acid (PAA) grafted on LDPE by low-temperature barrier discharge plasma. This LDPE surface treatment led to inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus adhesion; the first causes intestinal disease, peritonitis, mastitis, pneumonia, septicemia, the latter is the reason for wound and urinary tract infections.

On the Hydrophilicity and Water Resistance Effect of Styrene‐Acrylonitrile Copolymer Treated by CF4 and O2 Plasmas

“…This behaviour is analogous to the ageing of plasma treated polystyrene (PS), where this polymer oxidises more easily compared to polyolefins . This phenomenon may be ascribed to the desorption of low molecular weight oxidized materials (LMWOM) in the atmosphere, the diffusion of surface functionalities from the surface into the bulk, as polymer surfaces try to minimize their surface energy, and finally the further reaction of free radicals trapped inside the polymer with unsaturated hydrocarbon, and reactive species from the atmosphere . Molecular rearrangements (possibly the restore of aromaticity) lead to this trait which differs from the ones of aliphatic polymer, such as polypropylene or polyethylene .…”

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficiency of New Polymers Comprised by Covalently Attached and/or Electrostatically Bound Bacteriostatic Species, Based on Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

“…Infections, caused by pathogenic microorganisms, due to contact with solid surfaces, is an emerging and well-known problem that has captured the attention of the scientific community in the last years [1]. Great efforts have been made, especially in hospitals, to overcome this problem [2,3]. Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that the most common bacteria causing hospital infections are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococci and Escherichia coli [4][5][6][7].…”

Wettability studies of topologically distinct titanium surfaces

“…[2][3][4] In order to improve the interactions with the living bone, 4 the so-called "osteointegration" or "osseointegration" M a n u s c r i p t 4 process, the implant surface made from Ti and its alloys needs to be physically and/or chemically modified. 5,6 . Speed, strength and degree of osteointegration depend mainly on the surface properties of implants, among which chemistry, physics, topography and wettability are known to be very crucial factors.…”