Highly Stable Hierarchically Structured All-Polymeric Lubricant-Infused Films Prevent Thrombosis and Repel Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens

Abstract

Thrombus formation and infections caused by bacterial adhesion are the most common causes of failure in blood-contacting medical devices. Reducing the interaction of pathogens using repellent surfaces has proven to be a successful strategy in preventing device failure. However, designing scale-up methodologies to create large-scale repellent surfaces remains challenging. To address this need, we have created an all-polymeric lubricant-infused system using an industrially viable swellingcoagulation solvent (S-C) method. This induces hierarchically structured micro/nano features onto the surface, enabling improved lubricant infusion. Poly(3,3,3-trifluoropropylmethylsiloxane) (PTFS) was used as the lubricant of choice, a previously unexplored omniphobic nonvolatile silicone oil. This resulted in allpolymeric liquid-infused surfaces that are transparent and flexible with long-term stability. Repellent properties have been demonstrated using human whole blood and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria matrices, with lubricated surfaces showing 93% reduction in blood stains and 96.7% reduction in bacterial adherence. The developed material has the potential to prevent blood and pathogenic contamination for a range biomedical devices within healthcare settings.

Material Breakthroughs in Smart Food Monitoring: Intelligent Packaging and On‐Site Testing Technologies for Spoilage and Contamination Detection

“…[ 171–173 ] Such a modification limits sensing interference through the prevention of surface fouling – specifically within complex liquid matrices, which have free‐flowing proteins that can impede detection. [ 174–176 ] An increase in DNAzyme sensor sensitivity was observed in milk using this approach, with successful detection of 10 2 CFU mL −1 E. coli within an hour. This improvement was attributed to lubricant‐mediated redirection of DNAzyme‐binding entities away from the sensor substrate, and toward the oligonucleotides, yielding an increase in signal‐inducing binding events.…”

Lubricant-Infused Surface Enabled by Coral-like Microstructure Based on Flocking Powder and Its Anti-icing and Anticorrosion Performance

“…Despite over 10 years of intense research and numerous applications of SLIPS and LIS in laboratories, their applications in real environments remains limited. The application of SLIPS and LISs faces two challenges: (i) large area preparation of rough micro-and nanostructured surfaces and enhancing the microand nanostructure robustness 34 and (ii) reducing lubricant loss and improving lubricant stability and coating lifetime. 33 Spraying is a simple and efficient method suitable for producing a large-area surface microstructure.…”

Superomniphobic and Photoactive Surface Presents Antimicrobial Properties by Repelling and Killing Pathogens

“…Even though repellant materials significantly reduce the spread and proliferation of pathogens, , they suffer from several shortcomings. Despite recent progress for long-term lubricant retention, , liquid-infused surfaces are not appropriate for use on high-touch surfaces due to their slippery nature . Additionally, air-infused coatings are limited by the stability of air pockets trapped within their surface structure .…”

“…Pathogen-repellant surface technologies can be separated into two distinct categories: liquid-infused coatings and air-infused coatings . Liquid-infused coatings are created by the infusion of a lubricating liquid into the surface structure or chemical coating. − This lubricating liquid layer is typically selected to be immiscible with the contaminating media (oil lubricant for water repulsion), which reduces the adhesion of the contaminate to the surface. ,, Air-infused coatings function by trapping air pockets within their surface structure, inhibiting the homogeneous wetting of the solid surface . The resulting unique wetting state of air-infused coatings, also known as Cassie–Baxter states, is responsible for the observed superhydrophobic and oleophobic properties of these materials. , Generally, both classes of surfaces are manufactured to have rough surfaces with high surface areas and are typically either porous, microstructured, nanostructured, or hierarchically structured. ,, For both liquid- and air-infused surfaces, structural hierarchy has resulted in a significant increase in liquid repellency and robustness of surface properties. , The hierarchical structure used for liquid-infused surfaces helps retain larger amounts of the lubricating liquid within the structure, while for air-infused surfaces, the hierarchical structure helps to increase the stability of the air pockets within the surface .…”