Research on Antibacterial and Anti Fouling Coatings for Medical Devices Based on Phytic Acid Cross‐Linked Polyvinyl Alcohol/Tannic Acid System

ABSTRACT Implantable medical devices are frequently hindered by challenges such as insufficient tissue adhesion, bacterial colonization and foreign body reaction, all of which can compromise their long‐term efficacy and stability. In this study, we prepared a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/tannic acid (TA) dual‐network hydrogel coating, cross‐linked with phytic acid (PA) and leveraging a sulfonate‐containing block copolymer (SBMA) as both a dispersant and antibacterial agent. This one‐pot synthesized hydrogel, designated as SPTA X , exhibits impressive adhesive strength of nearly 1 MPa across various substrate surfaces, alongside exceptional anti‐swelling characteristics of less than 50% in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4. The incorporation of PA significantly bolsters the hydrogel's strain performance to 400%, enhancing its mechanical compatibility with medical devices. Furthermore, the cationic groups present in PA and SBMA facilitate electrostatic interactions with bacterial cell membranes, disrupting cellular integrity and markedly enhancing antibacterial efficacy, as demonstrated by inhibition zones exceeding 4 cm in diameter. In vivo evaluations of the SPTA X ‐coated catheter revealed a minimal inflammatory response in surrounding tissues, underscoring its excellent biocompatibility. This study paves the way for the advancement of sophisticated coatings for implantable medical devices, effectively addressing critical safety concerns associated with implantation.