Nanotechnology could help protect patients from infections after operations for bone and joint implants, according to British researchers.
A "revolutionary" piece of nano-engineering has enabled scientists in Sheffield, UK, to create a film of antibiotics around implants.
Their idea, they say, is to make devices inhospitable to infections.
The process has allowed the scientists to work on polymer layers a thousandth of the width of a human hair, measuring between 1 and 100 nanometres wide.
The researchers have published their findings in Acta Biomaterialia.
Researcher Professor Paul Hatton, from Sheffield University, said: “By making the actual surface of the hip replacement or dental implant inhospitable to these harmful microorganisms, the risk of deep bone infection is substantially reduced.
“Our research shows that applying small quantities of antibiotic to a surface between the polymer layers which make up each device could prevent not only the initial infection but secondary infection – it is like getting between the layers of an onion skin.”
He added: “Deep bone infections associated with medical devices are increasing in number, especially among the elderly.
“As well as improving the quality of life, this new application for nanotechnology could save health providers such as the NHS millions of pounds every year.”
Acta Biomaterialia June 2015
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