Self-Disinfecting Catheters

这个多阶段SBIR项目的总体目标是开发一种经济有效的尿管，并将其商业化，以防止生物膜生长和结垢。生物膜是当水和养分可用时，在潮湿的表面上形成的微生物群落。一旦形成，细胞就会不断地从生物膜中释放出来，并被招募到生物膜中，为液体相提供源源不断的潜在病原体和内毒素。导尿管由于具有高表面积体积比、间歇性液体流动和温度较高等特点，特别容易形成生物膜。被污染的导尿管是居家导尿管患者的潜在感染源。所建议的导管将依赖于已建立的光催化氧化能力来消除微生物生长。不使用任何化学试剂，催化剂即使在使用过程中也能保持表面清洁。这种消毒涂层是由一种无毒化合物制成的，这种化合物是牙膏和许多食物中的常见成分。在第一阶段，ADA将利用丰富的先前经验以及优秀的顾问专业知识来设计和制造用于可行性测试的原型。这些新颖的、自我消毒的导管预计将是可靠的、负担得起的、免维护的。拟议的商业应用：50%以上的微生物感染与生物膜的形成有关。在尿路中，生物被膜的形成与使用导尿管相关的感染有关。这项拟议的研究将设计、建造和测试一种自我消毒导管，以防止生物膜的形成和生长。除了导尿管，这项技术还可以应用于其他生物被膜生长的部位，包括透析导管、医疗设备中的液体管道和医院供水管道。

The overall objective of this multiphase SBIR project is to develop and commercialize an economical and effective urethral catheter that resists biofilm growth and encrustation. Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that form on wetted surfaces when water and nutrients are available. Once formed, cells are continuously released from and recruited to the biofilm, providing a steady stream of potentially pathogenic organisms and endotoxins to the fluid phase. Urethral catheters are particularly prone to biofilm growth because of their combination of high surface to volume ratio, intermittent fluid flow and warm temperature. Contaminated urethral catheters are a potential source of infection for patients with in-dwelling catheters. The proposed catheter will rely on the established ability of photocatalytic oxidation to eliminate microorganism growth. No chemical reagents are used, and the catalyst acts to maintain a clean surface, even during use. The disinfecting coating is made of a non-toxic compounds that is a common ingredient in toothpaste and many foods. In Phase I, ADA will draw upon substantial prior experience as well as excellent consultant expertise to design and fabricate prototypes for feasibility testing. These novel, self-disinfecting catheters are expected to be reliable, affordable, and maintenance-free. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: More than 50% of all microbial infections are associated with the formation of biofilms. In the urinary tract, biofilm formation is associated with infections related to the use of catheters. The proposed research will design, build, and test a self-disinfecting catheter that will prevent biofilm formation and growth. In addition to urethral catheters this technology can be applied to other sites of biofilm growth including dialysis catheters, fluid conduits in medical equipment, and hospital waterlines.