Researcher aims to prevent infection in patients with CVCs

A CVC typically provides medication, fluids or nutrition to patients, but in some cases, a patient can develop inflammation or infection in the skin around the site on the chest where the small tube is inserted into the body. 

It is estimated that every year in Europe there are more than 160,000 infections related to central venous catheters, leading to approximately 25,000 deaths among affected patients. 

Medtech postdoc Mahdi Momeni wants to change that. He is developing a small device that will detect if something changes in the tissue where the doctor has inserted the CVC. 

Solving a critical problem 

The new technology will reduce the number of patients who experience life-threatening complications and prolonged hospitalisation. For patients, this means increased safety, faster recovery and improved quality of life. 

"By solving a critical problem in infection management, this device will save lives and improve care in hospital and also at home for chronically ill patients," explains researcher Mahdi Momeni, who works in the Health Informatics and Technology unit at SDU's Faculty of Engineering.

His device will not only ensure the health of patients, but also reduce the health costs for society, as the complications will be smaller when infections are prevented.

Designing a prototype in collaboration with doctors

Mahdi Momeni will soon be testing his technological solution with doctors at Odense University Hospital to optimise it.

“We aim to make this technology into a compact and affordable device for hospitals and home care. With an ethical approval and through collaboration with the hospital, we will design a prototype," he explains.

Eventually, the device can also be used for other medical purposes, such as foot wound care for patients with diabetes.

From research to business

The researcher's goal is to get to the point where he can test a prototype on patients. In the long term, his new technology will be carried on by a company – a spin-out - so that patients can benefit from the product.

"Taking our device from the lab to the market requires balancing technical innovation with the needs of doctors and patients. It's both challenging and rewarding,” explains Mahdi Momeni.

"I value collaborating with doctors, patients and other partners to ensure that our solution meets market demands. Building a medtech company provides a unique opportunity to improve patient care and create sustainable value in healthcare.”

There are many steps to go through before the product can go to market, but the first are being taken now.