Nitric oxide is known to have several important physiological functions such as a vasodilator, a platelet adsorption and activation inhibitor as well as mediator in antimicrobial activities. In this presentation, we will present a novel technique that uses a pulsed electrochemical method to generate and modulate the release of nitric oxide (NO), a highly potent and natural bactericidal agent, at physiologically relevant levels from inorganic sodium nitrite salt. The NO is electrochemically generated by the reduction of nitrite ions by Cu(I) ions generated anodically at the surface of a copper electrode and subsequent cleaning of the rapidly passivated electrode surface by applying a cathodic voltage pulse. The nitrite solution and the electrodes (working Cuo and reference) are separated from the external test solution by the wall of a narrow bore silicone rubber tube, that keeps the internal solution inside while allowing the NO gas to permeate. The NO releasing catheter tubing will be shown to have antibiofilm formation properties over a period of 2 to 7 days. Recent progress in controlling the amount of NO flux released from the bacterial sensing 'smart' catheter via the electromodulation voltages and frequency will also be presented.

Toward a smart catheter that senses microbial attachment and turns on electrochemical release of bactericidal nitric oxide

244th National Meeting (2012)

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