Title: Carbon-Infiltrated Carbon Nanotube Coating Applications: Scalpel Blades and External Fixators

Authors: Stephanie R. Morco, Jaclyn M. Larsen, Brian D. Jensen and Anton E. Bowden

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.20.0340

Abstract: A carbon-infiltrated carbon nanotube (CICNT) coating grown on stainless steel has a broad range of possible applications due to its non-pharmaceutical biofilm resistance [1]. This property may provide a solution to surgical site infection (SSI), so scalpel blades and external fixator pins were coated with CICNT and subjected to mechanical testing and MRSA biofilm testing. This scalpel blade coating is one of the first reports of CNT fabrication using 400-series SS as a substrate and a catalyst [2]. The CICNT coating did not prove to have superior anti-bacterial performance to a bare scalpel blade, but this work provides greater insight on CICNT properties. Hardness that was lost during the CICNT manufacturing process was recoverable, and the coating did not delaminate under the force of a diamond scribe. Although the CICNT on these scalpel blades did not exhibit MRSA biofilm resistance, new theories were offered on what factors are critical for the CICNT nanostructure to resist biofilm. The external fixator pin application proved to have significantly more promise than the scalpel blades. The bare stainless steel pin was completely covered in MRSA biofilm, while both the vertically-aligned and randomly-oriented CICNT-coated pins each allowed only a few cells to attach. Although there is more testing to be done, a CICNT coating may be an exceptional way to prevent infection while reducing antibiotic use.

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Conference: SAMPE 2020 | Virtual Series

Publication Date: 2020/06/01

SKU: TP20-0000000340

Pages: 11

Price: FREE