Access Vascular’s Mimix Hydrophilic Biomaterial Studied for Bacterial Adhesion

October 17, 2023—Access Vascular, Inc. (AVI) announced findings from a new, in vitro study showing a significant reduction in bacterial adhesion and thrombus accumulation in peripherally inserted central catheters and midline catheters with the company’s Mimix hydrophilic biomaterial (HBM).

According to AVI, the study compared bacterial adhesion on two polyurethane-based catheters and the HBM using in vitro blood flow and static models. The HBM demonstrated a 99.998% reduction in bacterial adhesion compared with the standard polyurethane catheter, and a 99.989% reduction compared with an augmented polyurethane material.

Additionally, the HBM catheter demonstrated a 96% reduction in surface thrombus accumulation, compared with the standard catheter, and a 95% reduction compared with the augmented polyurethane catheter. These findings are consistent with previously reported in vitro data on thrombus accumulation, based on platelet count, with the HBM catheter, advised the company.

The study’s findings were presented at AVA 2023, the annual scientific meeting of the Association for Vascular Access held October 14-17 in Portland, Oregon.

James Biggins, CEO of Access Vascular, stated in the company’s press release, “These results highlight the potential for catheters made from Mimix to reduce bacterial adhesion, which often leads to central-line associated bloodstream infections and has devastating implications for already sick patients. We are extremely pleased to share this data as the next step in establishing the true potential of Mimix to improve the standard of care, take costs out of the healthcare system, and reduce the burden on nursing staff.”

Also at AVA, the company presented results from a second study investigating the surface and frictional properties of the HydroPICC device. The study showed a statistically significant decrease in the maximum insertion, maximum retraction, and average force with HydroPICC compared with standard and augmented polyurethane catheters. This study, “Trackability of a high-strength thromboresistant hydrogel catheter: An in vitro analysis comparing venous catheter forces in a simulated-use pathway,” was published online in the Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials by Kristen J. LeRoy, who is Director of R&D at Access Vascular, and Daniel T. Donahue, who is Principal R&D Engineer at Access Vascular.