Personalised antimicrobial and pro-regenerating coatings
Multiple layers of nanoscale polyarginine and hyaluronic acid
In order to prevent bacterial colonisation on medical devices, whose surfaces serve as a substrate for the proliferation of bacteria, SPARTHA Medical is developing personalised antimicrobial coating consisting of polyelectrolytes (electrically charged molecules).
The use of PAR/HA has been the subject of a first proof of concept and the technology has been patented. Thus, we are deploying our R&D efforts to develop coatings with other types of biopolymers in order to optimise the product according to use and demand.
The coating has an on-contact antimicrobial effect against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, which exhibits good biocompatibility.
In a few words, SPARTHA’s personalised antimicrobial technology functions as follows:
- Invisible layers of polyelectrolytes: applicable on all surfaces, with an easy fabrication process (ecological, without any chemical products or solvents).
- A unique technology based on natural and multifunctional biopolymers: antibacterial, antivirus and anti-inflammatory, with a strong and large spectrum of bactericidal effects (ISO standard 22196).
- All possible sterilisation methods (vapor, gamma rays and x-rays, EtO).
- Promising in vivo data: effective antibacterial activity, biocompatibility and absence of cytotoxicity profile (ISO 10993-5 / 10993-10 / 10993-11 standards).
- A service offer of innovative coating based on a qualified R&D team and a significant reduction in delivery times.
- Ergonomic usage: integration of new technologies in coating application systems.
Personalised antimicrobial medicine and medical devices (Modular coatings and immunoprofiling)
Implants
The large number of implants done per year is leading to an increase in the number of implant-related complications, notably nosocomial diseases. Personalised medicine can play a key role in addressing this problem. Cochlear, orthopedic and dental implants are some examples of implantable medical devices. One of the possible complications is infection around medical devices, especially in hospital settings where a significant proportion of infections called "nosocomial infections" are closely related to implanted devices.
Immunoprofiling
Immunoprofiling is performed by analysing the patient's blood, or by in vitro evaluation of the behaviour of immune cells isolated from the patient. Such immunoprofile-based pre-implant and post-implant diagnostics can improve the functional results of different implants by helping in the selection of the implant type and can also significantly reduce complications. The coupling of immunoprofiling with immunomodulatory surface modifications provides an arsenal to solve problems in a patient-specific manner.
Antibiotic substitutes: Polyanionic hydrogels
Antibiotic resistance has become one of the leading causes of death in the world. New strategies to overcome these problems are needed. SPARTHA Medical’s innovation is unmatched because it is not based on an antibiotic. It is derived from natural polymers, which makes it biocompatible and applicable to all types of surfaces. The antibacterial effect is achieved by contact with the surfaces coated with these polymers. As a result, the coating is applied to medical devices without affecting their primary function, acting as a physical antimicrobial barrier.
This innovative system provides a long-lasting antibacterial effect on a recurrent infection model in vitro, thus demonstrating a strong potential to combat several series of antibiotic-resistant infections. In addition, HA-PAR hydrogels could be deposited on/in medical devices such as dressings and hernia wicks used in clinical applications.
Personalised antimicrobial use
Today, 5% of patients admitted to health care institutions contract a nosocomial infection.
SPARTHA Medical is developing personalised and multifunctional antimicrobial coatings to prevent device-related infections and reduce inflammation.
Our coating can be placed on an implant, then sterilised, packaged and stored for several years. It remains effective at the time of implantation for several days whilst preventing the growth of bacteria. The use of these coatings on implants limits serious complications, allows for better implant integration, and reduces health care costs.
Largely underestimated in veterinary medicine, nosocomial infections can be of endogenous or exogenous origin, and can be caused by various pathogens or opportunistic agents. The aim of nosocomial infection control is to interrupt the chain of transmission. It is based on a global approach, integrating the entire organisation of the veterinary establishment, and above all the use of adapted medical devices to limit these infections.
For example, wounds are a real gateway for germs, causing considerable consequences depending on their location and depth. Appropriate care must be implemented quickly to avoid any risk of infection. The technology we are developing is broad enough to be adapted to many sectors of activity, including veterinary. The customisable aspect allows, by changing its composition very slightly, to easily obtain properties that optimally meet the specific needs of wound care or ear infections.
Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.