Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a new bacteria-resistant material for use in medical devices. Urinary catheters coated with this new material are under trial in 6 different hospitals in the UK. Results of the trial will help determine if hospital devices coated with this new material can help protect patients from hospital-acquired infections. This bacteria-resistant material had been discovered in 2012 and has recently been awarded the CE mark.
Research on the exact mechanism of how this material works is underway-the research being funded by the Wellcome Trust. This new material prevents the formation of bacterial biofilms on hospital devices. Having licensed this product for use in urology, researchers are now looking to use this material on other hospital devices as well. The researchers suggest that the material can be used in contact lenses, cochlear…
