Unique Antimicrobial Catheter to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

描述(由申请人提供)：这项第一阶段工作的目标是确定开发一种独特的抗菌导管的可行性，以减少最普遍的医疗保健相关感染-导管相关性尿路感染(CAUTI)的发生。这项研究和开发工作将开发一种具有固有的持久防腐性能的尿管，以保护患者和防止感染。提出的装置是一种新的抗菌导尿管方法。它将使用普通的Foley导管设计和材料，并在弹性体中添加添加剂以使导管具有抗菌作用。该添加剂取代了弹性体中的白炭黑补强填充剂，并设计成具有较长的 持续时间将抗菌剂释放到导管表面。该导管可以用标准的医用管制造工艺和材料廉价地制造，但将具有抗菌活性的附加值特性。一种耐用、有效的抗菌导管可以预防或减少CAUTI，每年将节省数百万美元的医疗成本和数千人的生命。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this Phase I effort is determine the feasibility of developing a unique antimicrobial catheter to reduce the instances of the most prevalent healthcare associated infection, Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI). This research and development effort will be to develop a urinary catheter with inherent long lasting antiseptic properties to protect the patient and prevent infection. The proposed device is a new approach to antimicrobial catheters. It will use common Foley catheter designs and materials, with the addition of an additive to the elastomer to render the catheter antimicrobial. The additive replaces the silica reinforcing filler in the elastomer and is designed to give a long lasting time release of antibacterial agent to the catheter surface. The catheter can be manufactured inexpensively with standard medical tubing manufacturing processes and materials, but will have the value-added property of antimicrobial activity. A durable and effective antimicrobial catheter that can prevent or reduce CAUTI will save millions of dollars in healthcare cost and thousands of lives annually.