TIMEUP : DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE FOR THE DETECTION OF UROPATHOGENS IN URINARY CATHETERS
KEYWORDS: DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE, UROPATHOGENS, BACTERIA DETECTION, URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS, URINARY CATHETERS, EARLY STAGE DETECTION, CONTINUOUS MONITORING, POLYMERIC MATRIX, BIOMATERIALS.
STATE OF THE ART
Current escalator and moving-walkway handrail disinfection systems rely primarily on chemical application or energy-based methods such as UV or infrared radiation, which only partially eliminate microorganisms. These solutions do not perform mechanical cleaning, leaving organic matter and biofilms intact and preventing complete disinfection. Existing systems also suffer from limited penetration of antimicrobial agents due to surface contamination and are often incompatible with different handrail designs. Additionally, commercially available technologies typically lack standardized integration across escalator models, providing inconsistent effectiveness and limited ease of installation.
VALUE PROPOSITION
The proposed invention enables comprehensive cleaning and disinfection through wet mechanical removal combined with chemical treatment and antimicrobial nanotechnology. Its multi-stage process (friction cleaning, disinfectant application, nanoparticle release and UV/thermal drying) eliminates biofilm and ensures surface integrity. Designed for universal compatibility, it offers a standardizer, highly effective solution for public-health protection.
STATE OF THE ART
Current escalator and moving-walkway handrail disinfection systems rely primarily on chemical application or energy-based methods such as UV or infrared radiation, which only partially eliminate microorganisms. These solutions do not perform mechanical cleaning, leaving organic matter and biofilms intact and preventing complete disinfection. Existing systems also suffer from limited penetration of antimicrobial agents due to surface contamination and are often incompatible with different handrail designs. Additionally, commercially available technologies typically lack standardized integration across escalator models, providing inconsistent effectiveness and limited ease of installation.
VALUE PROPOSITION
The proposed invention enables comprehensive cleaning and disinfection through wet mechanical removal combined with chemical treatment and antimicrobial nanotechnology. Its multi-stage process (friction cleaning, disinfectant application, nanoparticle release and UV/thermal drying) eliminates biofilm and ensures surface integrity. Designed for universal compatibility, it offers a standardizer, highly effective solution for public-health protection.
Advantages |
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Anticipates the patients’ physical symptoms. |
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Allows action in an early stage. |
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Will be able to detect and identify different bacteria. |
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Decreases hospital stay length, additional effort for health professionals and associated costs. |
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Improves patients’ quality of life. |
| Decreases administration of antibiotics. |
| Sampling-free, reducing the use of test kits and consumables. |
| Increases resources efficiency. |
Applications |
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Prevention/detection of catheter-associated urinary tract infections. |
| Potential to be developed as in-house monitoring system for non-catheterized patients. |
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Potential to be applied in other areas such as water quality control. |
Awards |
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Prototransfer INESPO III, 4 000 € (2018). |
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EIT Health Innostars, 25 000 € (2019). |
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Caixa Impulse, La Caixa Foundation, 77 000 € (2019). |
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Call INNOV-ID, Portugal Ventures, 100 000 € (2023). |
STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT: TRL 3
IPR LEGAL STATUS: Patent Pending nº 119254 filed on 14/02/2024.
OWNERSHIP: The rights are held by the University of Coimbra (92%), the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra (4%) and by two of the Founders of the Spin-off, Igor Tiago (2%) and Marcos Mariz (2%).
COLLABORATION SOUGHT: Licensing for further developments with medical devices companies or R&D partnership with academic institutions and research centers.