The goal of this research is to develop an implanted antimicrobial device to be used with short-term (over 1 month) and long-term (up to 1 year) percutaneous catheters for acute and chronic vascular access procedures. Such an antimicrobial cuff could be utilized with long-term catheters used for hemodialysis, total parenteral nutrition, drug delivery, and other applications. Infection is the major problem associated with central venous catheterization procedures. The VitaCuff device developed by Vitaphore Corporation is made primarily from an antimicrobial collagen material and can protect against catheter-related infection for up to 1 month.Development of a longer term cuff will require a new composite collagen-polymer antimicrobial matrix. Phase I development will study, in vitro, different antimicrobial agents incorporated into a variety of polymers, fabrication of a polymer surface geometry to allow tissue ingrowth, and fabrication of a collagen-polymer composite. Phase II will involve in vivo implantation of polymer materials to assess tissue compatibility and ingrowth, and development of fabrication technology for the best materials.
Anticipated Results:Cuffs can be used for acute and chronic long-term hemodialysis catheters, peritoneal dialysis catheters, silicone longterm (Hickman) types of catheters used for total parenteral nutrition and chemotherapy, and other percutaneous devices.National Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
