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Nanoengineered coatings for visible-light photocatalytic disinfection of medical devices

Descrizione del progetto

Un catetere antimicrobico

Le infezioni associate al catetere sono causate da biofilm batterici e richiedono un uso prolungato e massiccio di antibiotici, portando all’insorgenza di ceppi resistenti agli antimicrobici difficili da trattare. In risposta a questo problema, gli scienziati del progetto PHOTO-IASIS, finanziato dall’UE, si propongono di sviluppare nuovi cateteri con un nanorivestimento antimicrobico con proprietà anti-biofilm. Il rivestimento consiste in un materiale attivato dalla luce che distrugge il biofilm se stimolato con irradiazione con luce visibile somministrata sulla superficie del catetere tramite una fibra ottica nell’apertura del catetere. Semplicemente premendo un pulsante, quest’innovativo design affronterà le infezioni associate al catetere e ridurrà al minimo la resistenza agli antimicrobici nel contesto ospedaliero.

Obiettivo

Catheter-associated infections are characterized by the formation of a bacterial biofilm on their surface and are a major clinical problem today with huge socioeconomic implications. As a result, apart from longer hospital admissions that dramatically increase healthcare costs, in order to fight these infections increased antibiotic drug doses are used. This approach places selective pressure on pathogens and, especially in nosocomial settings, facilitates the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria that are more difficult, if at all possible, to treat. In fact, catheter-associated infections by antimicrobial resistant bacteria are potentially lethal, especially in patients with compromised immune system (cancer, HIV patients). So, there is an urgent societal and clinical need to reduce such infections. The target of this project is to re-engineer catheters that exhibit anti-biofilm properties due to the presence of an antimicrobial nanocoating. This coating will consist of a photo-active material that destroys the biofilm upon visible light irradiation. The light will be delivered on the catheter surface by an optical fiber through the catheter opening. This will enable biofilm destruction with a simple push of a button. The developed catheter here will revolutionize this field by reducing such catheter-associated infections, minimizing the emergence of drug resistant bacteria and improving the public health worldwide. The supervisor’s unique expertise in nanomaterial synthesis using flame spray pyrolysis (FSP), and in applying the resulting nanoparticles to specific biomedical applications combined with that of the applicant’s in nanoparticles and photocatalysis reassures a mutual benefit between the applicant and the host institute and enhances the feasibility of this proposal.

Coordinatore

KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 191 852,16
Indirizzo
Nobels Vag 5
17177 Stockholm
Svezia

Mostra sulla mappa

Regione
Östra Sverige Stockholm Stockholms län
Tipo di attività
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Collegamenti
Costo totale
€ 191 852,16