Investigating the use of SCO2 to impregnate medical materials for the prevention of microbial biofilms

The PJH Partnership Ltd have developed supercritical technology that when used with an anti-bacterial dopant,

may prevent the formation of biofilms on medical device materials. Through a series of experiments and

industry engagement, PJH will undertake a 10-month programme of work to validate process efficiencies and

performance, in terms of the depth and volume of deposition, effective dispersion, dopant characterisation,

and material evaluation and economic assessments. This approach draws upon the impregnable performance

of supercritical CO2 and patented technology and test methodologies. Test materials will include industry

approved implant devices, from which ongoing medical trials are scheduled to confirm anti-bacterial effects for

biofilm prevention. Assessment across plastic and metal materials will determine the scope of use, with wider

applications in the healthcare industry. Following this 10-month study, medical trials will be undertaken prior

to commercialisation, envisaged 2018.