# US 10,501,589 B2 · Nanostructured bacteria-resistant polymer materials > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,589 B2 - Document ID: US10501589B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/917,138 - Filed: 2014-09-12 - Published: 2016-07-28 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-09-12 - Assignees: Northeastern University - Applicants: Northeastern University - Inventors: Thomas J. Webster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501589B2 ## CPC - C08J 5/00: Manufacture of articles or shaped materials containing macromolecular substances (manufacture of semi-permeable membranes B01D67/00 - B01D71/00) - A01N 25/08: containing solids as carriers or diluents - A61L 27/50: Materials characterised by their function or physical properties {, e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials} - A61L 29/06: obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds - A61L 29/14: Materials characterised by their function or physical properties {, e.g. lubricating compositions} - A61L 31/10: Macromolecular materials - A61L 31/14: Materials characterised by their function or physical properties {, e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials} - B01J 3/006: {Processes utilising sub-atmospheric pressure; Apparatus therefor} - C08J 3/24: Crosslinking, e.g. vulcanising, of macromolecules (mechanical aspects B29C35/00; crosslinking agents C08K) - A61L 2400/12: Nanosized materials, e.g. nanofibres, nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes; Nanostructured surfaces - A61L 2400/18: Modification of implant surfaces in order to improve biocompatibility, cell growth, fixation of biomolecules, e.g. plasma treatment - A61L 2420/02: Methods for coating medical devices - C08J 2323/06: Polyethene - C08J 2323/12: Polypropene - C08J 2325/06: Polystyrene - C08J 2367/04: Polyesters derived from hydroxy carboxylic acids, e.g. lactones (C08J2367/06 takes precedence) - C08J 2371/10: from phenols - C08J 2375/04: Polyurethanes - C08J 2379/04: Polycondensates having nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings in the main chain; Polyhydrazides; Polyamide acids or similar polyimide precursors - C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29) - A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS ## Abstract Methods for creating nanostructured surface features on polymers and polymer composites involve application of low pressure during curing of solid polymer material from a solvent solution. The resulting nanoscale surface features significantly decrease bacterial growth on the surface. Polymer materials having the nanoscale structuring can be used in implantable medical devices to inhibit bacterial growth and infection. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of nanostructuring a surface of a polymer material, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a liquid solution comprising a polymer material dissolved in an organic solvent; and (b) evaporating the solvent from the liquid organic solvent solution low pressure sufficient for nanostructuring a surface of the polymer material, whereby the polymer material solidifies into a solid form comprising the polymer material, wherein the surface of the polymer material is nano structured. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer material comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly-lactic co-glycolic acid (PLGA), polyurethane, polycaprolactone, poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK), polyethylene, polypropylene, polypyrrole, and polystyrene. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer material comprises two or more different polymers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the solid form is a composite material comprising said polymer material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of chloroform, dimethyl formamide (DMF), acetone, chlorobenzene, cyclohexanone, cyclopentanone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), nitrobenzene, 1, 2-dichlorobenzene, diisopropyl ketone, dioxane, ethylene chloride, isophorone, toluene, and mesityl oxide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the low pressure is in the range from about 0 to about 5 millibars. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the low pressure is about 2 millibars. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nanostructuring inhibits adhesion of bacteria to the surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nanostructuring inhibits colonization of the surface by bacteria selected from the group consisting of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nanostructured surface has a root mean square surface (RMS) roughness of about 100 nm or less. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (a1) placing said organic solvent solution comprising said polymer material into a mold; wherein in step (b) the polymer material solidifies into said solid form in the mold. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (a1) applying said organic solvent solution comprising said polymer material to the surface of an article or a device. ### Claim 13 A method of nanostructuring a surface of a polymer material, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an article or device comprising a polymer material surface and an organic solvent capable of dissolving the polymer material; (b) applying the solvent to the polymer material surface, whereby a portion of the polymer material surface dissolves in the solvent thereby forming a liquid organic solvent solution comprising the polymer; and (c) evaporating the solvent from the liquid organic solvent solution at low pressure sufficient for nanostructuring the portion of the polymer material surface, whereby the dissolved polymer material solidifies into a solid form comprising the polymer material, wherein a surface of the polymer material is nanostructured. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the article or device has a shape that is retained during steps (b) and (c). ### Claim 15 A method of nanostructuring a surface of a polymer material, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a liquid organic solvent melt comprising a liquid solution of a polymer material dissolved in an organic solvent; (b) extruding the liquid organic solvent melt from an extrusion device to form an extruded article; and (c) evaporating the solvent from the liquid organic solvent melt of the extruded article at low pressure sufficient for nanostructuring polymer material at a surface of the extruded article formed of the polymer material, whereby the extruded article solidifies into a solid form comprising the polymer material, wherein the surface of the extruded article formed of the polymer material becomes nanostructured.