SURFACE-TREATED CATHETERS WITH ION BEAM-BASED PROCESS EVALUATION IN RATS

Ion beam-based processes such as ion implantation (silicone rubber) an d ion beam-assisted deposition (silver-based coatings) affect the oute r micron layers of catheter surfaces. These processes were used on the common catheter materials of silicone and polyurethane. In 56 rats, s urface (Spi-Silicone and Spi-Argent I and II) catheter segments were i mplanted for 1, 3, and 6 weeks. After removal, these pieces were inves tigated for bacterial colonization and fixed for scanning electron mic roscopic evaluation. As controls, untreated catheter segments were imp lanted in 28 rats. Bacterial colonization was found in 2.4% in the sur face treated catheter pieces versus 7.1% in the control group. The sca nning electron microscope investigations showed low thrombogenicity in all of the treated catheters independent of the implantation times.