Every year, sepsis causes more than 11 million deaths. It can occur unpredictably during any infection, most often bacterial. It results from a dysregulation of the immune response to infection, usually causing excessive inflammation that disrupts organ function. One solution for treating this infection is hemoperfusion.

The aim of this study is to create blood filtration cartridges for hemoperfusion, grafted with polymers capable of removing bacteria and toxins from the blood in cases of bacteremia or even sepsis. We have chosen to take an innovative approach combining 3D printing and the synthesis of methacrylate-type polymers. To study the structure–activity relationship of these polymers, we synthesized copolymers of varying molar masses and compositions with amphiphilic properties, containing a hydrophobic monomer and a cationic monomer. We determined the antibacterial properties of these free copolymers in solution on Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria, as well as their hemolytic activities. Tests on their anti-inflammatory properties were also conducted. The next step in the project is to functionalize a 3D-printed support with the copolymer exhibiting the best properties.