The use of BHRSolutions' skills in the growing field of Healthcare is set to widen as a result of a new Foresight LINK project. It will provide the 'New Urological Technologies and Products' (NuTaP) consortium with its experience in product development and in translating market needs into research and development plans. Consultancy in fluid mechanics will also be available as required.

Urinary incontinence is a growing problem throughout the developed world as life expectancy rises. Within the UK alone, the Royal College of Physicians estimates that some 3 million people are affected, at an annual cost to the NHS of £500 million.

Of particular concern are cases of intractable incontinence where the only available treatment is long-term catheterisation. Catheter design has changed little since its introduction in 1937 and suffers from two inherent problems

• Susceptibility to colonisation by microbes such as Proteus Mirabilis, leading to the precipitation of phosphatic salts, stone formation and blockage
• Rather than mimic the natural process of intermittent, complete emptying of the bladder, continuous drainage is provided

Both problems will be addressed by the project. A biomaterial will be developed to coat the catheter and resist colonisation and encrustation, while at the same time a microsystem will control the filling and emptying cycle. Patient care will be improved and NHS costs reduced by a multidisciplinary consortium of industrial and academic partners. These include Biocompatibles, Femcare, Ranier Technologies, ETB, Mediplus, MCE, Limbs and Things, Ellis Developments and BHRSolutions, along with Durham and Cardiff Universities and the North Bristol NHS Trust.

Ref: PRP 11.12.01

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Proteus Mirabilis

Catheter Encrustation

Clean Catheter