Miniature, point-of-care device for establishing sterile connections in combat environments

Using catheters to achieve venous access is extremely important during combat casualty procedures, and they are only getting more important in the 21st Century. Hemorrhage is a major cause of battlefield death, and indeed caused more than 90% of preventable deaths between 2001 and 2011, and rapid replacement of blood volume is thus extremely important to saving the lives of our warfighters. Catheters also are used to deliver drugs, like pain medications. A major problem with catheters is their propensity to lead to infections, namely catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSI). These infections can quickly become deadly, especially if they are caused by drug-resistant strains of bacteria or fungus. There is a clear need for new, effective methods to clean and sterilize catheters and their connections in combat environments. RemPhos Technologies LLC has developed a simple, hand-held, portable and reusable high intensity ultraviolet light source for automated simultaneous disinfection of hemodialysis catheter lumens and luer connectors. Under this project, the company will fabricate safe, operator-independent, high-intensity, miniaturized hardened device that is complete with miniaturized electronics; perfiorm UVA and UVC intensity measurements; and conduct definitive in vitro antimicrobial studies.