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A groundbreaking innovation in catheter tube design utilizing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology has emerged from researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), presenting a potential solution to curb bacterial migration without resorting to antibiotics or other chemical antimicrobial measures.
Published in the journal Science Advances, the study showcases a new catheter tube engineered with triangular protrusions reminiscent of shark fins along its inner walls. This innovative design obstructs bacterial movement, significantly limiting the number of bacteria able to swim upstream, reducing it by 100-fold in laboratory experiments.
Bacterial intrusion through catheters, commonly seen in healthcare settings, poses a significant health risk. Each year, catheter-associated urinary infections in the United States alone incur costs amounting to $300 million, stemming from bacterial entry into the body through these thin tubes designed for fluid extraction.
The triangular protrusions within the tube disrupt bacterial progress by redirecting their movement towards the tube’s centre. There, the increased flow velocity forces the bacteria downstream. Additionally, the curvature of these triangular structures creates vortices, further impeding bacterial advancement.
High-speed cameras monitoring bacterial movement within 3D printed catheter tubes demonstrated a remarkable 100-fold reduction in bacterial migration using the triangular inclusions.
By combining AI techniques, specifically neural operators, the research team drastically accelerated the computational design optimization process, reducing the time taken from days to mere minutes. These methods fine-tuned the triangular shapes to improve their efficacy in blocking bacterial upstream swimming.
Simulations of E. coli movement within microfluidic channels, resembling typical catheter tubes with these optimised triangular designs, closely mirrored the predicted trajectories from the simulations.
Through iterative enhancements guided by AI-powered modelling, the team achieved an additional 5 per cent boost in the effectiveness of the triangular shapes, fortifying the catheter’s ability to prevent bacterial upstream motion.
This pioneering development in catheter design demonstrates the potential to significantly reduce catheter-associated infections by leveraging geometry and advanced AI, marking a promising stride in infection prevention within healthcare settings without relying on traditional antibiotics or antimicrobial chemicals.
