Central line that produces a mild disinfectant inside the tube to prevent bloodstream infections
Electrochemical Catheter for Prevention of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection
A central venous catheter that creates a small, controlled disinfectant inside the catheter tube to help stop bloodstream infections for people who need central lines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11289322 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is developing a central venous catheter that uses low-level electrical reactions inside the lumen to generate hypochlorous acid (a mild, fast-acting disinfectant) where bacteria tend to grow. The team has shown antimicrobial activity in lab experiments and in an in vitro catheter model and will refine the device to control HOCl concentration and delivery rates. Planned work includes preclinical testing, including animal models, to demonstrate safety and effectiveness before moving toward human use. The goal is to prevent intraluminal sources of central line-associated bloodstream infections, including those caused by organisms such as Acinetobacter baumannii.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who require short-term or long-term central venous catheters—for example patients on hemodialysis or in intensive care—would be the intended candidates for this approach.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have central venous catheters or whose infections arise from external sites or mechanisms not addressed by intraluminal disinfection may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this device could reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections by preventing bacterial colonization inside catheters.
How similar studies have performed: Antiseptics like HOCl and other antimicrobial catheter strategies have shown antimicrobial activity, but electrochemical generation of HOCl inside catheters is a newer approach with promising preclinical results and limited clinical data so far.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patel, Robin — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Patel, Robin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.