Infection following orthopaedic interventions is a devastating complication associated with increased patient morbidity, longer hospital stays and increased costs to the health care system. One of the primary mechanisms by which bacteria resist decontamination and persist in wounds and on implants is through the formation of biofilms. Bacteria in biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotics and necessitate the development of new strategies for the eradication and/or prevention of device-related biofilm infections.

We have developed an electrical stimulation method and have provided proof-of-principle data showing that it can effectively prevent formation of and/or eradicate bacterial biofilms on implantable orthopaedic devices. We utilize a potentiostatic three-electrode configuration to precisely modulate the voltage-dependent electrochemical processes at the surface of the metallic implant to elicit the antimicrobial response, while maintaining biocompatibility with the bone tissue. We are currently engaged in studies to further optimize this technology and treatment protocols.

Mark Ehrensberger, PhD, Anthony Campagnari, PhD, Albert Titus, PhD, Thomas Duquin, MD, Linda Wild, Nicole Luke-Marshall, PhD

Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (2010-2013), Bruce Holm Catalyst Fund (2013-2014) UB CTSA Pilot Studies Grant (2015-2016), Office of Naval Research (2016-2017)

• Nodzo SR, Tobias ME, Ahn R, Hansen LA, Luke-Marshall NR, Wild LM, Campagnari AA, Ehrensberger MT. “Cathodic Voltage-Controlled Electrical Stimulation Plus Prolonged Vancomycin Reduce Bacterial Burden of a Titanium Implant-Associated Infection in a Rodent Model.” Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research. 2016; 474(7).
• Nodzo SR, Tobias ME, Nodzo SR, Hansen LA, Luke-Marshall NR, Cole RF, Wild LM, Campagnari AA, Ehrensberger MT. “Cathodic Electrical Stimulation Combined with Vancomycin Enhances Treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Implant-Associated Infections.” Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research. 2015. 473(9).
• Ehrensberger MT, Tobias ME, Nodzo SR, Hansen LA, Luke-Marshall NR, Cole RF, Wild LM, Campagnari AA. “Cathodic Voltage-Controlled Electrical Stimulation of Titanium Implants as Treatment for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Periprosthetic Infections.” Biomaterials. 2015.