Principal investigator: Longyan Chen
Co-PI: Matthew Gacura
University: Gannon University
Industry partners: Mihna Medical Technologies
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) account for nearly 400,000 healthcare-associated infections and 9,000 annual deaths in the U.S. While traditional systems use anti-reflux chambers at the drainage bag, they fail to prevent retrograde flow from stagnant urine in the proximal tubing, which remains a major infection route. To bridge this gap, Gannon University, in partner with Mihna Medical Technologies, is proposing to develop and advance a zero-pressure one-way Urinary Backflow Prevention Device (UBPD) prototype toward commercial scalability. Positioned at the patient-end of the tubing, the device uses a light floating bob and a heavy locking bob to maintain a seal regardless of orientation. This innovation provides a definitive mechanical barrier closer to the bladder, effectively eliminating infection risks driven by contaminated tubing fluid. The project activities prioritize technical execution and manufacturing innovation, focusing on transitioning 3D-printed prototypes into manufacturable, medical-grade components suitable for expanded clinical testing and small-volume production.