Access Vascular, a company based in Bedford, MA that makes a novel material for preventing the clogging up of catheters, won FDA clearance for its HydroPICC catheter. The company’s “bulk-hydrophilic” material is rich in water and carries a neutral surface charge, which helps to prevent proteins and other biomaterials from sticking. According to the company, the material “demonstrated through testing not to initiate the thrombosis cascade and therefore does not trigger the body’s thrombotic response”.
The cleared peripherally inserted central catheter can be used for long periods of time, and like traditional catheters made of polyurethanes, it can withstand the pressures produced when pumping fluid through it.
Here are a few notes about the material according to Access Vascular:
- Significant increase in water content compared to conventional thermoplastics makes our biomaterial less recognizable by the body
- The bioinert material prevents the accumulation of blood components, which can lead to blood clots
- Thrombus cascade is greatly reduced, which in turn decreases the potential for infection, enabling vessel salvage, reduced circulatory compromise and increased catheter dwell time
Here’s a promo video from Access Vascular about its technology:
Product page: HydroPICC…
Via: Access Vascular…
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