Biofilm Formation and the Antibacterial Properties of Silicon Nitride and Other Biomaterials

The medical applications of antibacterial biomaterials have made great strides since the field’s beginning. With new material being produced for surgical implantation, questions of bodily reactions to these biomaterials arise. As a foreign substance is placed into the body a biofilm may accumulate on the surface, which can then lead to severe infections and become difficult to treat. One such material is an antibacterial silicon nitride polymer designed for orthopedic and spinal implants. Using a CDC Biofilm Reactor the testing of these new materials has been accomplished to accurately predict the antibacterial properties of each material. After the reactor is inoculated, samples are taken after 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours and tested for growth of biofilms. Our preliminary data indicates an initial reduction in biofilm formation with some material. With the successful completion of this project, a more effective biomaterial could be found and made readily available for safe and practical use in the human body