Slippery coating for dialysis catheters to prevent clots and infection
Official title: Slippery Omniphobic Coating for Hemodialysis Catheter to Resist Fibrin Sheathing and Infection and Improve Patient Outcomes
Funded at Cerulean Scientific INC. · NIH-11126044 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A non-stick liquid-like coating for dialysis catheters designed to help people on hemodialysis avoid blood clots and bloodstream infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cerulean Scientific INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lancaster, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $536,210 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK135256-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126044 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who are receiving hemodialysis with a central venous catheter or who are expected to use a catheter at dialysis initiation would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not use dialysis catheters (for example those with mature fistulas or grafts) and pediatric patients are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
If I have a dialysis catheter, this project is developing a slippery, non-stick coating called tethered liquid perfluorocarbon (TLP) to keep blood, bacteria, and fungi from sticking to the catheter surface. The work focuses on optimizing the coating for use on hemodialysis catheters through laboratory and preclinical testing. The aim is to stop fibrin sheath and biofilm formation that lead to catheter clotting and infections. The company plans to adapt the coating for commercial catheters so fewer patients need catheter replacement, antibiotics, or hospital care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lower rates of catheter-related bloodstream infections and thrombosis, reducing hospital visits and catheter replacements for dialysis patients.
How similar studies have gone: Non-stick and antifouling coatings have shown promise in laboratory and animal studies, but there is not yet an approved catheter coating that fully prevents both clotting and infection in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Cerulean Scientific INC.
Lancaster, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcfarland, Todd — Cerulean Scientific INC.
- Study coordinator: Mcfarland, Todd
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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.