Project duration: 01.02.2016 - 31.01.2019
Project type: IGF 19019BG (AiF)
Partner: INNOVENT e.V. (Germany); Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF (Germany)

The aim of the project is to functionalize plastic implants antibacterially. The active ingredient already integrated into the polymer during compounding, is intended to be slowly released in the body over a long period of time. By varying the manufacturing parameters, composites of a biodegradable polylactide with tricalcium phosphate and of a non-degradable polyether ether ketone with hydroxyapatite are mixed with zinc oxide and examined along the process chain up to in-vitro behavior. The bactericidal efficacy of the composites is determined by the colony forming unit (CFU) test against Escherichia coli. The antibacterially equipped implants serve to prevent infections and complications after operations with bone replacement materials.

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