Control of staphylococcal adhesion to model biopolymers

Indwelling medical devices and implants such as sutures, catheters, prosthetic heart valves and artificial joints are increasingly used in modern medicine. This wide variety of biomaterial components has been created to meet the specific functional requirements of systems and organs. The materials from which they are manufactured can be polymers, metals, ceramics and sometimes modified natural materials. There is, however, an increasing realisation that these existing materials have their limitations and further developments will require a more thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying current problems (Jansen et al 1988)