Exploration of 3D Printing of Anti-Infective Urinary Catheters: Materials and Approaches to Combat Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) - A Review

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a pioneering technology that has gained increased popularity in the fields of tissue engineering, drug design, drug delivery systems and biomedical devices. Thus, it enables us to explore this technique for fabricating 3D-printed catheters. Owing to its enhanced productivity and cost-efficiency, this technique can be utilized to fabricate any material for manufacturing or designing catheters with antimicrobial properties. From 1930s, Foley's catheter had been widely used to drain the urinary bladder of patients with impaired bladder function. Despite the complications like catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), kidney damage, chronic infections, encrustations and personal discomfort during inflation of the balloon, Foley's catheter was used universally without any changes in product design. Currently, marketed catheters have been reported for reducing CAUTI, but the prevention of limitations by coating drugs onto the catheter is very expensive. Altering the physical properties of the catheter by biopolymer blend might ease the discomfort. Thus, new technologies have to be adopted to manufacture ideal catheters that are biocompatible and provide antimicrobial and anti-fouling properties. Herein, we provide an overview of 3D printing techniques along with different materials opted for manufacturing catheters to overcome the existing challenges and limitations.

Automated summary

Three-dimensional printing is a pioneering technology that can be used to manufacture catheters with antimicrobial properties and alter their physical properties to ease discomfort. New technologies and materials are needed to overcome existing challenges and limitations.