Optical Sensing Techniques for Quality Control of Catheters

When a family member recently required catheterisation following cancer surgery, he faced an unexpected and potentially lethal consequence: an infection that quickly turned septic, placing him in more immediate danger than his cancer diagnosis. Although our loved one has since recovered from sepsis, his infection persists many months later.

Unfortunately, this story is far too common. Many medically implanted devices are part of standard health care, and each comes with risk of infection. In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued best-practices guidelines for catheter sanitation, placement and timely removal, as well as the use of antimicrobial/antifungal impregnated catheters.