Field:

Urology and all other fields where indwelling catheterization is needed.

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Description:

Innoventions developed a proprietary structural design for repelling biofilm formation on medical and non-medical devices. This concept, when applied to form a Foley like catheter, the BRUC, all surfaces of the catheter (including its lumen and the balloon) elute a material to prevent or significantly delay build-up of crystalline and bacterial biofilm.

 

Need:

Innovation is a key part of the urological catheters market. There is a strong need for making improvements to catheter efficiencies and for reducing the potential for infection.

As one of the top ten causes of death in the US, hospital acquired infections are estimated to incur almost $20 billion in excess costs each year.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are the most frequent kind of hospital acquired infections.

• Approximately 200.000.000 urethral catheters are used annually in the USA

• More than 1,000,000 CAUTI cases annually in the USA

• Most CAUTI cases are attributed to biofilm developing on and in the urethral catheters and on their balloon

• Biofilms on urinary catheters results in persistent infections that are resistant to antimicrobial therapy.

Currently, there are no proven effective means for prevention of CAUTI in chronically catheterized people

 

Advantages:

Less CAUTI (Catheter Induced Urinary Tract Infections)
Self lubrication
Less urethral  mucosa irritation
Less retention balloon weight for increased patient comfort
Less encrustations/calcifications

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R&D status:

Successful proof-of-concept. Pilot studies showed that our approach can create a surface on which contamination could be prevented or minimized.  A clinical observation with another device developed by Innoventions gave an indication about biofilm prevention for 3 months and maybe for longer periods (observation was limited to 3 months) Prototypes of additional tube configurations for other urological and non-urological applications (i.e. peritoneal dialysis catheters, central venous line catheters) are in preparation.

 

IP status:

System for Inhibiting Biofilm Formation on Catheters, Other Indwelling or Implantable Devices and Other Devices. PCT IL 16/050502

• Very favorable IPRP

• National Phase applications

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Business opportunity:

The global catheter market was valued at USD 24,380.3 million in 2013 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2014 to 2020. 

Urology catheters segment hold the second largest share of the market and was valued at USD 8,351.0 million in 2013 on account of factors such as the growing prevalence of urological diseases.

Moreover, the fact that the global base of population pertaining to the age group – 65 years and above is expected to rise from 7% in 2000 to 16% in 2050 is expected to serve this market as a driver by accelerating the incidence rates of urological disorders. 

Rising demand for minimally invasive procedures in emerging Asian economies such as India and China and the introduction of technologically advanced catheters touting higher efficacies will also fuel the future growth of this market.