Researchers at Caltech have developed a new type of catheter tube that reduces the risk of bacterial infections. Bacterial infections caused by catheters are a common problem in healthcare settings and pose a threat to patient health. To address this issue, the interdisciplinary team at Caltech designed a catheter tube that impedes the movement of bacteria without the need for antibiotics or other chemical antimicrobial methods.
Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to optimize the design, the team was able to reduce the number of bacteria swimming upstream in laboratory experiments by 100-fold. The findings of the study were published in the journal Science Advances.
Catheter tubes typically exhibit a flow pattern known as Poiseuille flow, where the fluid moves faster in the center and slower near the walls. Bacteria, however, are able to propel themselves upstream by utilizing a unique swimming motion. The researchers designed catheter tubes with triangular protrusions along the inside of the walls, similar to shark fins. These triangular structures effectively redirected bacterial movement towards the center of the tube, where the faster flow pushed them back downstream. The shape of the triangles also created vortices that disrupted bacterial progress.
The team conducted experiments using 3D printed catheter tubes and high-speed cameras to monitor bacterial movement. They observed a 100-fold reduction in upstream bacterial movement with the tubes featuring triangular inclusions.
Continuing their research, the team used AI technology to further optimize the catheter design. Neural operators, a cutting-edge AI method provided by the Anandkumar laboratory, accelerated the optimization process. The final design, based on the optimized triangle shapes, enhanced the efficacy of the initial triangular structures by an additional 5% in simulations.
The collaborative effort between researchers from different fields demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of Caltech. The team’s journey from theory to simulation, experiment, and real-time monitoring showcases how theoretical concepts can be translated into practical solutions for real-world challenges.
The study, titled AI-aided geometric design of anti-infection catheters, marks an important step towards reducing the risk of catheter-associated infections. The new catheter design has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs associated with treating these infections.
The research was funded by various organizations including the Donna and Benjamin M. Rosen Bioengineering Center, the Heritage Medical Research Institute, the National Science Foundation, and the Schmidt Futures program. The collaborative effort serves as a testament to Caltech’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific research and innovation.
