CONTROLLED COVALENT ATTACHMENT OF BIOACTIVE BACTERIOPHAGE FOR REGULATING BIOFILM DEVELOPMENT

摘要

Medical devices that are resistant to biofilm development and methods of the manufacture of biofilm resistant medical devices are provided. One or more bacteriophages are tethered to the surface of a medical device or a hydrogei-type coating on the surface of the device by covalent bonding while maintaining bacteriophage infective or lytic activity. The presence of the bacteriophages on a medical device, such as an indwelling medical device, prevents biofilm formation or reduces existing biofilm formation on the surface of the device when in use. These devices address the long felt need for biofilm resistant devices that increase safety and reduce complications normally associated with prior indwelling or other medical devices.