Antifungal composites and methods thereof

Abstract

Disclosed herein are antifungal composites, devices, and methods to reduce or prevent a fungus from growing on the antifungal composite. The antifungal composite and devices thereof may include a biocompatible polymer and a Si 3 N 4 powder loaded in at least a portion of the biocompatible polymer. The polymer may be a thermoplastic polymer such as a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resin and the Si 3 N 4 powder may be present in a concentration of about 1 vol. % to about 30 vol. % in the thermoplastic polymer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biocompatible device comprising:
 a thermoplastic polymer comprising a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resin; and   a silicon nitride powder loaded in at least a portion of the thermoplastic polymer,   wherein the silicon nitride powder is present in a concentration of about 1 vol. % to about 30 vol. %.   
     
     
         2 . The biocompatible device of  claim 1 , wherein the silicon nitride powder is present in a concentration of about 8 vol. %. 
     
     
         3 . The biocompatible device of  claim 1 , wherein the silicon nitride powder is mixed homogenously throughout the thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The biocompatible device of  claim 1 , wherein the silicon nitride reduces or prevents a fungus from growing on the biocompatible device. 
     
     
         5 . The biocompatible device of  claim 4 , wherein the fungus is a yeast. 
     
     
         6 . The biocompatible device of  claim 5 , wherein the yeast is  Candida albicans.    
     
     
         7 . The biocompatible device of  claim 4 , wherein the biocompatible device has increased candidacidal efficacy against the fungus as compared to the thermoplastic polymer alone. 
     
     
         8 . The biocompatible device of  claim 4 , wherein the biocompatible device subjects the fungus to nitrosative and osmotic stress. 
     
     
         9 . The biocompatible device of  claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible device creates an alkaline pH when in an aqueous environment. 
     
     
         10 . The biocompatible device of  claim 9 , wherein the aqueous environment near the biocompatible device has a pH of about 8.4. 
     
     
         11 . The biocompatible device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a dental device. 
     
     
         12 . The biocompatible device of  claim 11 , wherein the dental device is selected from abiotic dentures, cements, and other dental prostheses. 
     
     
         13 . A method of reducing or preventing a fungus from growing on a biocompatible device comprising:
 placing the biocompatible device in a patient,   wherein the biocompatible device comprising a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resin and a silicon nitride powder loaded in at least a portion of the PMMA,   wherein the silicon nitride powder is present in a concentration of about 1 vol. % to about 30 vol. %, and   wherein the silicon nitride reduces or prevents the fungus from growing on the biocompatible device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fungus is a yeast. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the yeast is  Candida albicans.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the biocompatible device has increased candidacidal efficacy against the fungus as compared to the PMMA alone. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the biocompatible device subjects the fungus to nitrosative and osmotic stress. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the biocompatible device creates an alkaline pH when in an aqueous environment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the biocompatible device near the antifungal composite has a pH of about 8.4.