polymers with non - leaching antimicrobial activity and their use as surface coatings or bulk resins for medical devices . the antimicrobial polymers are prepared with antimicrobial moieties covalently bonded to a polymer chain end or to a polymer backbone at a side chain end . the antimicrobial moiety - containing endgroups include surface active moieties which promote enrichment of antimicrobial endgroups at the polymer surface and thus formation of an antimicrobially active surface . polymers with built - in antimicrobial endgroups can be used as bulk resins , as antimicrobial additives , or as infection preventative coatings in the manufacture of medical devices . such materials can also be used as antimicrobial and antifouling coatings on structures in contact with microorganism in environments that require control of biofilm formation , such as marine products .