ABSTRACT
A variety of implantable medical devices have been developed to improve
the health and well-being of patients and can be used on either a short-term
[e.g., urinary catheter, central venous catheter (CVC)] or permanent (e.g.,
orthopedic implant, vascular graft prosthesis) basis. These medical devices
are made from biomaterials, which are inert, nonviable materials intended
to interact with biologic systems to perform, augment, or replace a natural
function (1). Despite the improved quality of life that these biomaterials
can offer, it has been reported that approximately half of the two million
cases of nosocomial infections that occur each year in the United States are
associated with indwelling devices (2).
