Antibacterial endotracheal tube with silver-containing double-network hydrogel coating

In this study, a double-network hydrogel coating with silver loading was developed for antibacterial catheters using an in-situ photoinitiation method, a stepwise immersion process, and ion exchange. The silver-loading capacity, release kinetics, and in vitro antibacterial performance of the coatings were assessed. Furthermore, a silver-loaded coating was prepared on commercially available endotracheal tubes and its anti-infection capabilities were investigated using a rabbit tracheal intubation model. The results showed that Coating@Ag⁺ exhibited a uniform and stable dispersion of silver ions (Ag⁺), controllable silver loading capacity, and effective Ag⁺ release. The coating also exhibited excellent in vitro antibacterial performance against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). In vivo studies demonstrated a significant reduction in tracheal intubation-related pulmonary infections. Silver-loaded hydrogel coatings have potential applications in the development of antibacterial catheters for preventing healthcare-associated infections.