Leo 1550 field emission scanning electron microscope

The presence of bacteria and overall biofilm formation on each of the three different types of occluders was evaluated by SEM. Prior to SEM, each occluder was washed three times (5 min each time) in 1× Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS). The occluders were then dehydrated serially in alcohol washes, as follows: 70%, 80%, 90% (15 min at RT) and 100% (three times for 15 min at RT). Images were obtained on a LEO 1550 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen, Germany), with a Schottky Field Emission Gun, at an acceleration voltage of 20 kV and a Robinson Back Scatter Detector. Occluders were gold coated to prevent charging effects.

Examination of the morphology and fiber diameters of the electrospun nylon 6 non-woven fiber mats was done using a Leica 440 scanning electron microscope (SEM, Leica Microsystems Inc., Buffalo Grove, IL, USA) at 30 kV, and a LEO 1550 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM, Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen, Germany) at a voltage of 3 kV, using an in-lens detector. Samples were coated for 30 s with 10 nm Au-Pd to prevent charging.