NESHER, Israel–(BUSINESS WIRE)–NanoVibronix, a medical
device company which develops innovative therapeutic ultrasound applications,
reported that a study titled “Surface Acoustic Waves Increase the
Susceptibility of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilms to Antibiotic Treatment” has
been published in Biofouling by Ehud Banin et al, researchers from the Bar-Ilan University.
The researchers have used Foley catheter segments to grow
bacterial biofilm thus simulating the biofilm that grows in indwelling urinary
catheters. They then applied SAW (Surface Acoustic Waves) produced by the
UroShield device to evaluate its effect on the bacteria along with antibiotics
administration.
The UroShield was able to eradicate biofilm bacteria by
greater than 85% when applied simultaneously with an antibiotic in three
clinically relevant bacterial species. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus
epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, transcriptome analysis
revealed that SAW can alter the transcription pattern of P. aeruginosa,
suggesting that this signal can be specifically sensed by the bacterium.
Bacterial urinary tract infections resulting from indwelling
urinary catheters have become a major health problem. One of the major issues
is bacterial resistance to antibiotic treatments due to biofilm formation on
the catheter surfaces, thus enhancing the search for alternative treatments. In
the present study, UroShield, a device containing a piezo element capable of
transmitting low-frequency surface acoustic waves (SAW) onto the indwelling
catheter was used.
“Antibiotic resistance by bacteria is becoming a major risk
to patients that require urinary catheter. Our findings show that a medical
device can be part of the solution of the vexing problem of antibiotic
resistance. UroShield may provide a breakthrough in fighting this major
problem,” stated Dr. Banin.
“Ultrasonic waves applied to an indwelling urinary catheter
are implemented for the first time with NanoVibronix UroShield device and this
is expected to reduce the high rate of urinary catheters related infection,” says
Amir Rippel, Vice President of Marketing at NanoVibronix. “This combined use of
a device and antibiotic therapy is a paradigm shift in fighting nosocomial
infections and may save patient suffering as well as reduce hospitalization
length and its related expenditure.”
The UroShield has CE Mark certification and has been
submitted for a FDA 510k clearance.
About Nanovibronix
NanoVibronix, located in Nesher Israel,
develops and markets medical devices that implement its proprietary therapeutic
ultrasound technology. The Company is planning to expand its distribution
network and is seeking distributors and marketing partners. www.nanovibronix.com
