PREVENT AND REDUCE THE RISK OF SURGICAL SUTURE AND MESH-RELATED INFECTIONS
Antibacterial activity is an indispensable feature of next-generation surgical sutures and meshes. We developed a cost-effective coating technology to endow sutures and meshes with a unique feature to enhance infection prevention – prolonged and sequential multi-drug release. Most importantly, our technology is compatible with non-absorbable materials. Our aim is to support surgeons with an effective tool to significantly reduce suture and mesh-associated infections.
We seek partnerships with the manufacturers of surgical sutures and meshes to bring our innovative controlled-release antibacterial coatings to the market.
NEXT-GENERATION ANTIMICROBIAL SURGICAL SUTURES AND MESHES
Today, surgical sutures and meshes are ubiquitous medical devices. However, they act as substrates for bacterial adherence, colonisation and biofilm formation, leading to chronic infections. Suture-associated surgical site infections (SSIs) are common and challenging postoperative complications. Similarly, mesh infection is a highly morbid complication after, for example, hernia surgery. Despite advances in surgical technique and materials, mesh infection remains one of the most difficult postoperative complications following hernial repair. Hernia mesh infections that occur around the mesh implant can cause serious symptoms that may occur within weeks to years after surgery.
Suture and mesh-associated infections lead to delayed wound healing, increased risk of potentially serious and lasting complications, high rates of morbidity and mortality and increased financial burden on the healthcare system due to prolonged hospitalisation, more frequent admissions to emergency departments and hospital re-admissions. They also account for a massive physiological and psychological burden on patients.
To prevent these infections, efforts have been made to functionalise sutures and meshes to prevent bacterial colonisation and consequent infection. Antibacterial sutures containing antiseptics, such as triclosan and chlorhexidine, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) or noble metal alloys, are currently on the market, and some others are in the development phase. However, they have shown inadequate efficacy due to the uncontrolled and too-fast release of antibacterial agents, failing to kill bacteria efficiently and resulting in high local drug concentration, tissue toxicity and bacterial resistance.
Most importantly, antibacterial coatings for non-absorbable sutures and meshes do not currently exist on the market.
Our innovative technology solves these critical problems.
COATINGS FOR NON-ABSORBABLE SUTURES AND MESHES
Our proprietary powder coating technology enables us to coat both absorbable and non-absorbable surgical sutures and meshes.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Our powder coating technology doesn’t require any solvents, generates almost no waste, doesn’t impact the mechanical strength of sutures and meshes and ensures uniform coating with no “wedge effect“.
CONSTANT AND PROLONGED DRUG RELEASE
ANTIBACTERIAL SUTURES AND MESHES WITH A CONSTANT AND PROLONGED DRUG RELEASE
We developed a novel technology for functionalising surgical sutures and meshes, including non-absorbable ones, to efficiently inhibit bacterial growth, prevent infections, and promote wound healing. We offer coatings with a unique feature – prolonged and sequential multi-drug release.
Our proprietary powder coating technology is based on our expertise in advanced microencapsulation. Our innovative technique allows loading antimicrobials into controlled-release microcapsules and incorporating them directly into the yarns of surgical sutures and meshes. Our technology is compatible with both absorbable and non-absorbable sutures and meshes.
We can programme our smart microcapsules to achieve a controlled release of encapsulated drugs, ensuring local, accurate and effective drug dosage. In particular, microencapsulation of antimicrobial agents ensures their constant and prolonged release for up to 2 weeks (and potentially more), a time sufficient to prevent infections.
With our smart coatings, we aim to prevent infections and accelerate wound healing at a fraction of the cost compared to treatment.
EFFICIENT PROPHYLAXIS OF INFECTIONS
Our technology ensures a constant and prolonged release of antimicrobials for at least 2 weeks, a time sufficient to prevent infections. Having a time-programmed antimicrobial effect and adjustable drug release kinetics, our coatings reduce the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) by minimising the risk of bacterial colonisation.
SEQUENTIAL MULTI-DRUG RELEASE
COMPOSITE ANTIBACTERIAL COATINGS WITH A SEQUENTIAL MULTI-DRUG RELEASE
Our antibacterial coatings for surgical sutures and meshes can combine different pharmacokinetics – sequential fast and slow release of antibiotics.
We coat sutures and meshes with drug-loaded microcapsules, creating an inner layer and an outer layer. First, one drug is released from the outer layer (fast release), and then another drug is released from the inner layer (slow and constant release).
Surgical meshes and sutures are foreign materials implanted in the body. Bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and epidermidis, have a strong tendency to adhere to these surfaces and form a biofilm. Once a biofilm forms, it becomes incredibly difficult for antibiotics to penetrate and kill the bacteria within. This can lead to a persistent, chronic infection that cannot be cured with antibiotics alone.
Using a combination of drugs with different pharmacokinetics is a targeted strategy designed to prevent bacterial adhesion and colonisation.
Synergetic, broad-spectrum coverage
A combination of antibiotics ensures that any bacteria are rapidly killed before they can start adhering. Two drugs with different mechanisms of action attack the bacteria simultaneously and ensure that a high, lethal concentration of at least one effective drug is always present.
Complementary targets
Different antibiotics have different pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets. A combination of drugs allows a time-dependent drug to provide a continuous, baseline level of protection and a concentration-dependent drug to provide powerful, periodic “pulses” of high concentration.
Drastic reduction of the risk of biofilm formation
Bacteria need time to adhere, and a combination attack makes this nearly impossible. If a bacterial cell develops a tolerance or a mechanism to resist one drug, the second drug with a completely different mechanism can still kill it. This prevents bacteria from surviving long enough to start a colony.
Prophylaxis to counter antibiotic resistance
To prevent infections in high-risk hospital settings or for high-risk patients, a two-drug approach is more effective. The first drug targets common, susceptible bacteria, while the second specifically defends against resistant pathogens. This dual strategy ensures protection even if resistant bacteria are present.
FIGHT ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
We can incorporate the microcapsules containing several antimicrobial drugs into the same suture or mesh. Our smart coatings can also combine different pharmacokinetics, such as sequential fast and slow release of antibiotics, making them an efficient tool to fight antibiotic resistance.
SPEED UP WOUND HEALING
We can encapsulate any drug and load multiple drugs, too. In addition to antimicrobial drugs, we can incorporate wound-healing substances to both prevent infections and accelerate healing.
BIOCOMPATIBLE AND BIODEGRADABLE FDA-APPROVED POLYMERS
Our coatings are made from FDA-approved biocompatible and biodegradable synthetic polymers (PLA, PCL, PLGA, etc.) or natural polymers (albumin, chitosan, alginate, agar-agar, gelatin, etc.).
HIGH LOADING CAPACITY
Our smart microcapsules can hold a high volume of drugs (cargo-shell ratio up to 10:1).
LOW-COST SOLUTION
Production costs are mainly determined by the price of polymers and encapsulated active substances, representing a fraction of the final price of the product.
WIDE CHOICE OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCES
Our smart microcapsules can be loaded with any drug regardless of its molecular weight and solubility. Our coatings can hold multiple drugs, making them multifunctional. In addition to antimicrobial drugs, we can incorporate wound-healing substances.
SEQUENTIAL MULTI-DRUG RELEASE
Our coatings can combine different pharmacokinetics, in particular, sequential fast and slow release of drugs.
WITHSTAND STERILISATION
Our coatings are compatible with gamma/X-ray. The polymers and drugs used for the coatings will determine compatibility with other sterilisation methods.
PARTNER WITH US
We seek partnerships with manufacturers of surgical sutures and meshes to bring our innovation to the market.