Exploring Ceramic Composites for Prosthetic Biofilm Reduction

Overview

Abstract Surgical site infections (SSI) frequently form in an open wound from the initial orthopedic implant surgery. These infections are caused by an unsterile environment during and following surgery, where there is the potential for exposure to various harmful elements. These infections become very harmful as they can spread throughout the entire body. Obtaining an SSI after orthopedic surgery can result in multiple surgeries to remove the infection and remove the implant itself causing a need for a revision surgery. Surgical site infections, in very serious cases, can also result in death. Recently it has been demonstrated that a xerogel superhydrophobic coating reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus when applied to glass. The focus of this research was to determine the effectiveness of this coating when applied to a zirconium diboride-silicon carbide ceramic composite (ZrB2-SiC). This ceramic composite has potential applications in prosthetic implants due to its low density and metallic-like mechanical properties. This was tested against ZrB2-SiC without a coating and titanium because it is the most used material in orthopedic implants now. Ceramics used as orthopedics in the past have been very weak and brittle and not able to withhold in the body. However, ZrB2-SiC is a very strong ceramic composite with increased properties of those exhibited by titanium. Since its level of strength is comparable to metals and shows promise for performing well inside the body, this ceramic is a potential candidate for orthopedic material. After experimentation ZrB2-SiC with a superhydrophobic coating reduced biofilm growth at the same rate of the titanium.