We will be presenting the following highlights from our portfolio at Compamed 2024 - hall 8b / Booth L03:
TITK - Thuringian Institute for Textile and Plastics Research e.V.
- Natural substances as antibacterial additives for various plastics
- Marking of catheters and other plastic products for echogenic and X-ray visibility
- Antiviral coatings for filters and nonwovens
- Non-leaching finishes for plastics for antibacterial effectiveness
and much more.
OMPG - Ostthüringische Materialprüfgesellschaft für Textil- und Kunststoffe mbH
- Accredited testing services for plastics
- Material testing of automotive applications, medical products and consumer goods
- antimicrobial tests / biocompatibility tests
TITK researches new procedure for anti-thrombotic catheters
The Medical Technology research area at TITK focuses on the antibacterial and antiviral treatment of plastics. A new research project on the surface structuring of catheters was launched this year with the aim of significantly reducing the risk of thrombosis and infections. To this end, a new process is to be developed with which precisely defined microstructures can be transferred to the inner surface of the catheter.
Rudolstadt - Catheters are diagnostic and therapeutic aids that are used, for example, to administer medication or nutrient solutions. The use of central venous catheters and catheters that remain in place for long periods of time can cause infections and subsequently thromboses in patients. The medical technology experts at TITK are now researching a solution that should significantly reduce this risk. “We want to use the first demonstrators to prove that our microstructuring of the catheter's inner surface activates fewer platelets,” says Dr. Janine Bauer, Deputy Head of the Plastics Research Department.
To prevent catheter-associated infections, the TITK has already developed alternative solutions based on the antibacterial functionalization of plastics using special additives. A distinction is made here between active substance-releasing systems (leaching systems) and non-releasing systems (non-leaching systems). TITK can release active substances by using metal ions, in particular silver ions, or antibiotics, antibacterial natural substances and bacteriophages. Non-leaching systems are generated by covalent additive bonding or nanostructuring of plastic surfaces. “The use of a catalytic additive in the polymer is also possible with this variant,” says Bauer.
Depending on the matrix polymer, area of application, spectrum of action and duration of effect, different additives can be considered for antibacterial functionalization. TITK also develops such modifications according to other customer-specific parameters such as color or sterilizability. In addition, the functionalized materials can then be tested directly on site in the biology laboratory of the subsidiary OMPG for their antibacterial effectiveness and in vitro cytotoxicity.
TITK will be explaining more details about this research project at this year's Compamed from November 11 to 14, 2024 in Düsseldorf. TITK and OMPG are looking forward to welcoming many interested trade visitors to Hall 8b, Stand L03.
