Anti-infection trauma devices with drug release and nonfouling surface modification.

Objectives: By coupling an antimicrobial release with a highly nonfouling betaine modification on titanium, this approach innovatively addresses the initial bacterial challenge and the longer term biofilm formation on trauma devices.

Methods: Titanium substrates were modified to obtain a polymer reservoir for chlorhexidine (CHX) and a polybetaine surface layer. The surface was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, laser confocal scanning microscopy, and a radiolabeled fibrinogen assay.