Prevention of infection in femoral implants: Development and evaluation of antibiotic-loaded biomaterials

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are natural polymer derived from microbial origin. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and its copolymer with hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) with varying hydroxyvalerate (HV) ratios is the most common member of the biopolymer group. These polymers are biodegradable and biocompatible showing excellent potential as orthopaedic devises because of their chemical properties promoting bone growth. The integration of an antibiotic such as gentamicin in the polymer-coated implant would inhibit the growth of bacteria. This research project focused on designing a drug delivery system that could release gentamicin at a constant rate for more then 6 weeks in order to discourage post-surgery bacterial infections. PHBV was chosen as the carrier for gentamicin. We utilized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and porosity assay to further analyze its physical properties. The antibiotic release rate was calculated and confirmed by microbiological methods to ensure a release rate of above the minimum inhibitory concentration for the organisms. The release system was subjected to a bacterial adherence assay to determine its efficacy. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...