Non-Fouling Peripheral IV IP
The Peripheral IV markets are approaching $4B, and are expected to continue growth rates above 6% through 2022. During their hospital stay 60%-90% of patients require peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) and, even in the most rigorously performed studies, the overall failure rate is between 35%-50%. The primary forms of failure are phlebitis, infiltration, clotting, occlusion/mechanical failure, dislodgment, and infection. Any of these events, alone or in combination, can lead to intravenous (IV) catheter failure and the additional expense for treating infections, replacement and/or repositioning.
A single case of catheter-related blood stream infection can add as much as $56,000 in additional patient care costs. Total costs have reached as much as $2.3B in U.S. intensive care units alone each year. As health care system acquired injury continues to enter the spotlight and ceases to be tolerated from both a cost and societal perspective, the legal malpractice implications are enormous and can be expected to increase.
Designs for this early stage technology have been created and developed to provide a low-cost solution to catheter fouling, clotting, biofilm formation, infiltration, phlebitis, and other IV catheter associated complications. The PIVC market is hugely competitive and 3-4 companies dominate the market aggressively. Innovations that provide market advantage are expected to receive interest from any or all of these companies.
