A bactericidal and biofilm-eliminating coating for polypropylene mesh implants.
Implanted medical devices cause over a million infections per year, posing both an enormous burden on the healthcare system and serious risk to the health of the patient. These infections frequently cause the device to lose its function, requiring risky excision and replacement. To combat infection, metal coatings are typically applied to the device surface which have potent bactericidal properties, but eventually decay and release toxic and carcinogenic metal ion deposits within the body.
Technology Description
The BioBulwark is a bactericidal and biofilm-eliminating coating that can be applied to polypropylene mesh implants. Devices with BioBulwark are coated with vertically oriented graphene that slices open biofilms and bacterial cell membranes. Graphene is first applied vertically to the device surface using a technique called Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD). The device surface is then coated with 60-100 nm “spikes” that are sharp enough to pierce bacterial cell membranes and biofilms while keeping larger human cells intact. The stability of vertically oriented graphene makes it impervious to decay and its bactericidal properties are well-documented in the literature, setting it apart from the competition. Research also indicates that bacterial cells exhibit no signs of developing resistance to the coating and that the coating does not damage human host cells. BioBulwark will save the healthcare system billions while awarding patients a peace of mind and the reliable implants that they deserve.Advantages
Vertically-oriented graphene is stable and impervious to decay
Well-documented bactericidal properties
Mechanical destruction of bacterial membrane prevents the development of bacterial resistance, as seen with antibiotic treatment
Poses no threat to human cells
Specifically prevents biofilm formation
Malleable and non-toxicApplications
Urogynecologic and hernia mesh implants
Dialysis catheters
Cardiac implants, including LVAD and prosthetic heart valvesStage of Development
ConceptIP Status
Provisional patent application filedInnovators
Rui Liang, M.D.
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
Dr. Liang’s clinical and research interests include pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, comprehensive evaluation of prolapse meshes, exploration of the application of regenerative grafts derived from extracellular matrix in prolapse surgeries, and the roles of hormone and hormone analogues in the remodeling of pelvic supportive reconnective tissue and the significance of the same on the development of prolapse.Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Magee Women’s Research Institute
SASAKAWA Medical Fellowship, Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital University of Tokyo
Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Hospital/Xi’an Medical University
MD/MS, Xi’an Medical UniversityPublications
Liang R, Knight K, Barone W, Powers R, Nolfi A, Palcsey S, Abramowitch S, Moalli P. Extracellular matrix graft attenuates negative impact of polypropylene prolapse mesh on vagina in rhesus macaque. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Feb; 216(2):153.e1-153.e9. PubMed PMID: 27615441
Liang R, Knight K, Abramowitch S, Moalli P. Exploring the basic science of prolapse meshes. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Oct; 28(5):413-9. PubMed PMID: 27517341.
Nolfi AL, Brown BN, Liang R, Palcsey SL, Bonidie MJ, Abramowitch SD, Moalli PA. Host response to synthetic mesh in women with mesh complications. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Aug; 215(2):206.e1-8. PubMed PMID: 27094962.
Liang R. Knight K, Nolfi A, Abramowitch S, Moalli P. Differential Effects of Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators on the Vagina and Its Supportive Tissue. Menopause. 2016 Feb, 23(2):129-37. PubMed PMID: 26382313Eric Shaker
Bioengineering Undergraduate
Eric Shaker is a bioengineering student at the University of Pittsburgh. He is also pursuing a minor in Materials Science.