Analysis of the mechano-bactericidal effects of nanopatterned surfaces on implant-derived bacteria using the FEM

The killing of bacteria by mechanical forces on nanopatterned surfaces has been defined as a mechano-bactericidal effect. Inspired by nature, this method is a new-generation technology that does not cause toxic effects and antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to simulate the mechano-bactericidal effect of nanopatterned surfaces' geometric parameters and material properties against three implant-derived bacterial species. Here, in silico models were developed to explain the interactions between the bacterial cell and the nanopatterned surface. Numerical solutions were performed based on the finite element method. Elastic and creep deformation models of bacterial cells were created. Maximum deformation, maximum stress, maximum strain, as well as mortality of the cells were calculated. The results showed that increasing the peak sharpness and decreasing the width of the nanopatterns increased the maximum deformation, stress, and strain in the walls of the three bacterial cells. The increase in spacing between nanopatterns increased the maximum deformation, stress, and strain in E. coli and P. aeruginosa cell walls it decreased in S. aureus. The decrease in width with the increase in sharpness and spacing increased the mortality of E. coli and P. aeruginosa cells, the same values did not cause mortality in S. aureus cells. In addition, it was determined that using different materials for nanopatterns did not cause a significant change in stress, strain, and deformation. This study will accelerate and promote the production of more efficient mechano-bactericidal implant surfaces by modeling the geometric structures and material properties of nanopatterned surfaces together.