Haritosh Patel and Amy Huang

2024 Engineering Prize

Bioinspired Antifouling Ventricular Catheter Material and Design

Haritosh Patel, BASc and Amy Huang, BASc

Under the mentorship of Dr. Joanna Aizenberg

Researchers Haritosh Patel and Amy Huang have developed a new design for ventricular catheters (VCs) to address the high failure rates in hydrocephalus treatment, where current VCs often get blocked or infected. The project proposed a redesign of the proximal catheter tip to be constructed of Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surface (SLIPS) material, which provides an anti-bacterial function via super-repellency against bacteria, and also maintains essential contact-killing antimicrobial activities. In addition to the novel integration of the SLIPS material, Patel and Huang implemented physical curved flaps to the proximal catheter eyelets, utilizing fluid dynamics to flush away any bacteria and cells that may have collected while implanted in the ventricles.

Initial tests have shown promising results, with this new, patented design demonstrating a tenfold increase in shear forces that help keep the catheter clean, along with a 90% reduction in bacterial adhesion compared to standard materials. Further testing in animal models have confirmed the biocompatibility of the new catheter design, showing no adverse effects on brain tissue.This comprehensive approach has the potential to significantly reduce complications associated with current treatments for hydrocephalus, consistent with the Hydrocephalus Association’s key research priorities of improving patient care by reducing shunt-related complications.