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Dye-like applications of antibiotics to silk produce infection-resistant materials for potential use in biomedical applications. Two antibiotics, doxycycline (doxy) and cipro floxacin (cipro), are applied under a variety of conditions to silk and to silk that has previously been hydrolyzed at 40°C for 20, 40, and 60 minutes. FTIR spectroscopic analyses indicate that the drastically increased sorption of antibiotics by hydrolyzed silk is attributable to both chemical and conformational changes that occur with the hydrolysis. The high sorption of doxy by hydrolyzed silk does not necessarily yield a more infection- resistant material, as determined by a zone of inhibition test. Conversely, the same hydrolysis considerably increases both the sorption of cipro and the zone of inhibition of cipro-treated silk dyed at 65 and 85°C.

Purpose: To produce biodurable small diameter microporous vascular grafts with self-sealing properties for vascular access, for peripheral vascular and potentially for coronary artery bypass. The prosthesis should retain compliance and pulsatile flow in situ using a unique modus operandi permitting wall compression which accommodates changes in volume. Method: We have utilised efficient low temperature coagulation technology to develop a unique range of small diameter microporous vascular grafts using ChronoFlex, a biodurable polycarbonate urethane. Results: Grafts have been subjected to a range of in vitro and in vivo testing, demonstrating excellent physical and mechanical characteristics, self-sealing, maintenance of compliance and pulsatile flow in situ and patency up to twenty-two weeks.