Project number
25045
Organization
Kidney ADVANCE Project - NIH/ACABI
Offering
ENGR498-F2024-S2025
Urinary catheters are essential medical devices, but they are prone to causing pain, inflammation and infection. To address these challenges, the team developed an improved, patient-friendly urinary drainage catheter system. The team’s design integrates advanced biomaterials, localized drug delivery, and real-time health monitoring. This system will reduce medical morbidity and mortality in patients who need these catheters.
The team began by identifying the limitations of current Foley catheters. They determined the importance of including a way to administer analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-infective agents, as well as the need to monitor patient vitals through the device. The resulting design features a three-way lumen catheter made of medical-grade silicone. It incorporates a polymer dip-coating that allows medical professionals to administer a controlled release of ibuprofen and dexamethasone to reduce pain and inflammation.
A solenoid-generated electromagnetic field (EMF) also inhibits bacterial biofilm formation. Integrated temperature and pH sensors continuously monitor patient health and wirelessly transmit the data to the system. This enables health care providers to track patient health and system functions – including anti-inflammation release, temperature, pH and time and application of EMF – remotely on a mobile application.
The team began by identifying the limitations of current Foley catheters. They determined the importance of including a way to administer analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-infective agents, as well as the need to monitor patient vitals through the device. The resulting design features a three-way lumen catheter made of medical-grade silicone. It incorporates a polymer dip-coating that allows medical professionals to administer a controlled release of ibuprofen and dexamethasone to reduce pain and inflammation.
A solenoid-generated electromagnetic field (EMF) also inhibits bacterial biofilm formation. Integrated temperature and pH sensors continuously monitor patient health and wirelessly transmit the data to the system. This enables health care providers to track patient health and system functions – including anti-inflammation release, temperature, pH and time and application of EMF – remotely on a mobile application.