Antibacterial surfaces for biomedical devices

Despite considerable research and development efforts, the problem of infections related to biomedical devices and implants persists. Bacteria evidently can readily colonize surfaces of synthetic materials, such as those used for the fabrication of catheters, hip and knee implants, and many other devices. As the growing colony encapsulates itself with a protective exocellular bacterial polysaccharide layer, the biofilm becomes much harder to combat than circulating bacteria. Thus, there is a strong need to mitigate bacterial colonization by equipping the surfaces of biomedical devices and implants with features such as surface chemistry and surface roughness that are unfavorable for bacterial attachment. Here we review a number of strategies used for the design of antibacterial coatings. We also discuss specific issues that arise from using various types of coatings.