interVaal is developing UriGuardian, a line of novel Foley catheters with enhanced capability in preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), a widespread and costly side-effect of modern health care. UriGuardian’s bio-inspired buffer zone and pressure accumulation feature serves to keep the urethra flushed and to mitigate the migration of bacteria.
Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) arise from the use of urinary catheters during the course of treatment. In most modern healthcare facilities, CAUTIs are one of the most common infections acquired during treatment. The cost of CAUTI treatment can reach up to $3,000 per episode. The leading solution – various advances in catheter coatings – are often ~10 times the cost of a standard catheter but fail to satisfactorily prevent CAUTIs.