Ecoflex, Silicone-Based Material to Investigate Bacterial Infections From IV Catheters: Study - Video

Published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers have created realistic, skin-like replicas made of Ecoflex, a type of silicone rubber that can potentially serve as a platform to evaluate risks of bacterial infections from intravenous catheters and test wearable sensors, among other biomedical applications. The study found that EcoFlex-based skin replicas can be engineered to mimic actual skin textures, wettability, and elasticity, simulating the conditions where bacteria grow and adhere.

“We have been slow in finding solutions for preventing infections from intravenous catheters,” said Majed Othman Althumayri, a graduate student in the Texas A&M Department of Biomedical Engineering and primary author of the paper. “A reason could be that we lack good platforms to test new catheter designs or wearable biosensor technologies and train staff so that the number of infections can be reduced.”

To address this gap, the researchers turned to Ecoflex 00-35, a fast-curing, biocompatible rubber used for various applications, including prosthetics for special effects. First, they created molds of common intravenous insertion sites, such as the elbows, hands and forearms. Then, by pouring Ecoflex into the molds that contained artificial bones and tubes acting as veins, the researchers created skin-like replicas.

Next, the researchers tested if the Ecoflex skin replicas had properties that matched that of real skin. They measured the replicas’ wettability, bacterial adhesion and mechanical properties, such as elasticity and resilience. The researchers found that the Ecoflex models could replicate human skin roughness within a 7.5% error margin. Further, high-resolution imaging showed that bacteria could adhere to the skin replica and grow on it.

Then, in a key experiment, the researchers simulated an intravenous catheter insertion into an Ecoflex hand replica that they created. This artificial hand effectively modeled phases of bacterial growth, showing promise that these replicas can be used for implementing infection control measures and improving the design of medical devices like catheters.

However, the researchers noted that their current experiments do not entirely model real-world conditions.

Reference: Althumayri, M.O., Tarman, A.Y. & Ceylan Koydemir, H. Bioinspired skin-like in vitro model for investigating catheter-related bloodstream infections. Sci Rep 14, 26167 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76652-y