G. Reid et al., SURFACE-PROPERTIES OF CATHETERS, STENTS AND BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH URINARY-TRACT INFECTIONS, Surface science reports, 21(7), 1995, pp. 251-273
Applications of surface and physico-chemical techniques to the clinica
l setting, in particular related to the urogenital tract, have been sp
oradic, often concentrating on aspects of biocompatibility and interac
tions of blood cells with materials. In an era where billions of such
devices are implanted annually, it is important to utilize such techni
ques to improve our understanding of material-host interactions. In an
effort to encourage further such interactive investigations, this rev
iew will illustrate some practical biomedical examples where utilizati
on of sophisticated surface-science techniques has provided valuable i
nsight into interfacial events between host components, micro-organism
s and material surfaces. Techniques to reduce bacterial infection and
encrustations will be discussed, and suggestions given for future line
s of enquiry.