Patent ID: 6984374

Claim:
A method for an evaluation of an implantable material to determine whether the implantable material is susceptible to bacterial contamination or colonization when implanted into a living animal or human comprising: a) providing bacteria which are modified to produce a first detectable signal; b) exposing the implantable material being evaluated to the modified bacteria by intravenously introducing the modified bacteria into a living animal or human; and c) determining by in vivo detection whether the first signal is present on the implantable material or within the implantable material; where absence of the first signal on the implantable material or within the implantable material indicates that the implantable material is not susceptible to bacterial contamination or colonization and where presence of the first signal on the implantable material or within the implantable material indicates that the implantable material is susceptible to bacterial contamination or colonization; and where the implantable material is non-living.