A Zone of Inhibition Test is a quick and effective way to assess the antimicrobial activity of a material. The test samples and controls are placed in a petri dish populated with bacterial cultures, incubated and the resulting Zones of Inhibition are analyzed

Such tests are integral parts of research and development.

For XABO we used such testing procedures to assess XABO´s antibiotic release and the efficacy of the antibiotics through in-vitro tests. Catheter parts were placed into a release fluid mimicking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and incubated at body temperature (37.0 +- 0.5 °C). After various time intervals the antimicrobial activity of the test samples against gram-positive bacteria was tested through zone of inhibition tests. Non-impregnated catheters and antibiotic discs served as negative and positive controls.

The results of this testing procedure demonstrate XABOs antimicrobial activity for at least 38 days after implantation.