Ceftriaxone-loaded PLLA-co-PEG nonwovens towards implant-associated infection prevention

Implant-associated infections remain a challenge in biomedical engineering and prevention of such complications is a topical subject. For that, local drug delivery is associated with a number of advantages over systemic antibiosis. In this context, incorporation of antibiotic drugs into fibrous nonwovens is a promising approach for the generation of antiinfective implant envelopes or wrappings. Such materials can be manufactured in large scale and electrospinning process is suitable for a wide range of drugs to be incorporated. With regard to increasing numbers of pacemaker implantations and associated risk factors for infections, biodegradable ceftriaxone loaded poly(L-lactide)-co-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLLA-co-PEG) nonwovens have been characterised concerning the influence of the drug on morphology, thermal and mechanical properties and drug release behaviour. Our results show that the chosen material combination is promising for further approaches towards an antiinfective nonwoven pacemaker envelope.