Main description:

This book covers the functionalisation of silicone surfaces with polysaccharides to improve their antimicrobial and antifouling properties, thus reducing the implant-related infections. The authors describe how silicone surfaces were chosen because silicone exhibits excellent biocompatible properties and is already being used for medical implants such as catheters, breast implants, prosthetics etc. The potential of polysaccharides such as cellulose, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and other natural substances such as natural surfactants as coatings for silicones are also discussed, their effects are evaluated. With the aging of the population, the number of medical implants is growing and with it the number of infections associated with the use of implants.

Contents:

Introduction

1. Silicone in medical applications

1.1 Structure and properties of silicone

1.2 Applications of silicones in medicine

1.3 Urethral catheters

2. Catheter associated urethral tract infections

2.1 The role of biofilm formation

3. Polysaccharides in medical applications

3.1 Polysaccharide coatings

4. Functionalisation of silicones with polysaccharides

4.1 Activation of silicone surfaces

4.2 General approaches of silicone functionalisation with polysaccharides

4.3 Novel approaches of silicone functionalisation with polysaccharides

5. Conclusions

References