Highly stable hierarchically structured all-polymeric lubricant-infused films prevent blood stains and repel multi drug-resistant pathogens

Thrombus formation and infections caused by bacterial adhesion are the most common causes of failure in blood-contacting medical devices. Reducing interaction of pathogens by using repellent surfaces has proven to be a successful strategy in preventing device failure. However, designing scale-up methodologies to create large scale repellent surfaces remains challenging. To address this need, we have created an all-polymeric lubricant-infused system using an industrially viable swelling-coagulation solvent (S-C) method. This induces hierarchically structured micro/nano features onto the surface, enabling improved lubricant-infusion. Poly(3,3,3 - trifluoropropylmethylsiloxane) (PTFS) was used as the lubricant of choice, a previously unexplored omniphobic non-volatile silicone oil. This resulted in all-polymeric liquid-infused surfaces that are transparent and flexible with long-term stability. Repellent properties have been demonstrated using human whole blood and methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA) bacteria matrices, with lubricated surfaces showing 93% reduction in blood stains and 96.7% reduction in bacterial adherence. The developed material has the potential to prevent blood and pathogenic contamination for a range of biomedical devices within healthcare settings.