Preventing biofilms
Ingredients | Excipients and Coatings | Actives and Speciality Compounds | Antimicrobial | Medical Devices | Catheters |
Abstract
Antibacterial coatings have had limited success in preventing urinary tract infections in catheter users. Novel patented polymer coatings derived from resorcinarenes have been developed in the UK that prevent the formation of the biofilms that can release toxins and cause inflammation and infection.
Clare Twemlow envisages a range of biofilm prevention applications
Urinary infections are a major problem for catheter users and most antibacterial coatings have had limited success. Camstent has developed a promising non-stick coating from an unlikely source.
It was a “eureka” moment for CamStent founder David Hampton when he realised that a polymer, originally designed to prevent moss sticking to roofs, would have huge benefit in the medical industry to stop bacteria colonising urinary catheters. His invention has the potential to save healthcare organisations millions of pounds treating patients with urinary infections.
Clare Twemlow, cfo at CamStent, explains: “Currently bacteria will attach to the surface of a catheter and then spread to form a ‘biofilm’ that can lead to infection. Our coating prevents this first step.”
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