Development of plasma-based coating processes for medical devices with tailored-range bactericidal properties

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Central venous catheters (CVCs) are vital for many applications in medicine, especially for critical care and cancer patients. The use of CVC is associated with risk of microbial contamination in the form of a central venous catheter-related blood stream infection (CVC-BSI), which can occur during their implantation or manipulation. CVC-BSI represent a major global health care challenge. Prevention of CVC-BSI are based on biofilm prevention and on the release of antibacterial agents to overcome bacterial proliferation. The most common and successful approaches include bulk modification techniques or surface approaches, such as physical (plasma) or chemical (grafting by plasma, gamma radiation, corona or laser). In this light, the hereby presented project proposes the development of a procedure for the fabrication of an antiadhesive, antibacterial and hemocompatible coatings, based on plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). The planned surface modification of implantable CVCs will provide a relevant advancement to tackle the expensive nosocomial infection problems, which are responsible for a relevant increase of the hospitalization costs and clinical complications, up to mortality rate of 17% in patients affected by a CVC-BSI, estimated at 40% in Brazil. The planned surface modification strategies foresee the controlled release of metallic ions, embedded in different proposed architectures of multifunctional thin films; they will be deposited on silicone surfaces, and they will be optimized for tubular geometries. The here proposed approach is based on a collaborative research and development strategy involving the Laboratory for Biomaterials and Engineering of Laval University, with its world-renowned expertise in biomedical material and plasma surface treatments, Plasmionique Inc., an established Canadian company, devoted to plasma processes for industrial and research purposes, and IBEG, the leader catheters manufacturer in Brazil. The presented workplan foresees the participation of a network of clinicians, industrials and academic collaborators, to maximize the final impact on the introduced innovation element of CVC-BSI on the Canadian and global market.