In cooperation with the medical technology company Joline, in the future the NMI will conduct research on central venous catheters that have an antibacterial effect due to their water-loving surface. A positive side effect: the researchers expect that the new surface will also significantly reduce the risk of thrombosis.
The BMBF-funded project focuses on modifying cardiac catheters in such a way that they are less susceptible to infection and thus reduce the risk of infectious complications. Cardiac catheters are used, for example, in dialysis patients, where infections can occur during various treatment steps. In order to reduce the risk of infection, the cooperation project has two goals: First, the researchers want to understand how infections develop and what steps are involved. Secondly, based on these findings, a functionalised catheter surface is to be developed which, among other things, has an antibacterial effect. This will involve the use of polymers to which proteins and bacteria circulating in the blood can only adhere poorly. In the future, the surface technology resulting from the cooperation could also be applied to other medical products.
You can find the complete press release here (only available in German).