As the use of implanted medical devices has grown, researchers have discovered that the non-shedding surfaces of medical devices often provide ideal substrata for colonization by biofilm-forming microbes. As a result, the incidence of biofilm-associated diseases among patients with implanted devices has also grown. In response, this book examines new and emerging pharmaceutical approaches to prevent or eradicate the formation of infectious biofilms on medical devices. It also examines non-device-related biofilm infections. Moreover, the book offers the most current understanding of biofilm structure, composition, organization, and activities.

Biofilm Eradication and Prevention is divided into three parts:

• Part 1, "Development and Characterization of Biofilm," explores what triggers biofilm formation and why biofilms form over medical device surfaces as well as human tissue and organs

• Part 2, "Biofilm-Related Infections in Various Human Organs (Non-Device-Related Chronic Infections)," examines the latest pharmaceutical and drug delivery research into biofilm-related infections that develop on the eye, mouth, skin wounds, and lungs

• Part 3, "Drug Delivery Carriers to Eradicate Biofilm Formation on Medical Devices," explains pharmaceutical approaches such as lipid- and polymer-based drug delivery carriers to eradicate biofilm infection on medical devices; it ends with a discussion of novel small molecule control of bacterial biofilm formation

With its coverage of biofilm formation, diseases related to biofilm formation on medical devices and human organs, as well as pharmaceutical solutions, this book is an essential reference for researchers in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry as well as clinicians who treat patients with medical devices.