Nerites Studies Prevention of Bacterial Infections on Urinary Stents, Catheters

January 21, 2008 - While urinary stents and catheters can be life-saving medical devices, 40 percent of patients (about 40 million people) annually end up with bacterial infections, and the Nerites Corp. is testing a new technology for preventing these dangerous infections.

The company is developing the technology with funding from a $100,000 small business innovation research grant (SBIR) from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The study will determine whether Nerites novel polymer coatings can prevent biofilm growth, the source of most infections on urinary stents and catheters. Biofilms grow on the surface of the device and provide an anchor for bacteria, which then recruit other bacteria and cause infection.

For more information: www.nerites.com