Microscopic view of protective catheter coating

Combatting UTIs: Can This Innovative Catheter Coating Stop Infections?

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore how a new layer-by-layer coating could revolutionize urinary catheter design and significantly reduce the risk of infection."

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a widespread health issue, particularly among individuals who require urinary catheters. These infections not only cause discomfort and pain but can also lead to more severe health complications if left untreated. The reliance on antibiotics to manage these infections has further contributed to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, making the search for preventative measures increasingly critical.

In the quest to combat UTIs, researchers have been exploring innovative approaches to modify urinary catheters, aiming to prevent bacterial adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation—a primary cause of catheter-associated infections. Coating catheters with antimicrobial agents has emerged as a promising strategy, but controlling the release and maintaining the effectiveness of these agents over time has presented a significant challenge.

Now, a recent study introduces a novel technique that utilizes a layer-by-layer (LbL) coating of Foley urinary catheters with chlorhexidine-loaded micelles. This method aims to provide a sustained release of the antimicrobial agent, chlorhexidine (CHX), directly at the catheter surface, thereby reducing the risk of uropathogen colonization and subsequent infection. Let’s delve into how this innovative coating works and its potential impact on reducing UTIs.

How Does This Advanced Coating Technology Work?

Microscopic view of protective catheter coating

The innovative approach involves a precise layering technique using chlorhexidine-loaded micelles and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). Micelles are essentially tiny spheres that encapsulate the chlorhexidine, allowing for its controlled release. The layer-by-layer (LbL) technique involves alternately coating the catheter with these CHX-micelles and PAA, creating a thin film that provides a dual benefit: it prevents immediate release of the drug and ensures its sustained availability.

Researchers varied the number of these layers to determine the optimal configuration for drug content and coating thickness. The most effective catheter design consisted of 90 bilayers, which maximized the CHX content on the surface. This careful layering process not only ensures an adequate drug reservoir but also helps in maintaining the structural integrity of the coating, which is essential for long-term efficacy.

Micelle Preparation: Chlorhexidine is encapsulated within micelles using a solvent evaporation method, ensuring efficient drug loading.
Layer-by-Layer Coating: Catheters are alternately dipped in CHX-micelle and PAA solutions to create multiple layers.
Optimization: The number of layers is optimized to achieve maximum drug content and appropriate coating thickness.

Once the coating is applied, the catheters undergo rigorous testing to evaluate their performance. These tests include assessing the rate of CHX release, antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, and hemolytic activity. The goal is to ensure that the coating not only effectively inhibits bacterial growth but also remains biocompatible and safe for use within the human body.

The Future of UTI Prevention?

This novel approach to coating urinary catheters with chlorhexidine-loaded micelles represents a significant step forward in the fight against UTIs. By providing a sustained release of antimicrobial agents directly at the point of contact, this technology has the potential to greatly reduce the incidence of catheter-associated infections. As research continues and these coatings are refined, the future looks promising for safer, more effective urinary catheters.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jddst.2018.11.019, Alternate LINK

Title: Layer-By-Layer Dip Coating Of Foley Urinary Catheters By Chlorhexidine-Loaded Micelles

Subject: Pharmaceutical Science

Journal: Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Siriwan Srisang, Norased Nasongkla

Published: 2019-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why are urinary tract infections (UTIs) a significant concern for individuals using urinary catheters?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major concern for catheter users because they cause discomfort and pain and can lead to more severe health complications if left untreated. The increasing reliance on antibiotics to manage these infections has contributed to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, making preventative measures crucial. Current strategies, like the chlorhexidine-loaded micelles coating, aim to reduce the need for antibiotics by preventing infections in the first place.

How does the layer-by-layer (LbL) coating technique with chlorhexidine-loaded micelles work to prevent UTIs in urinary catheters?

The layer-by-layer (LbL) coating technique involves alternately coating the Foley urinary catheters with chlorhexidine-loaded micelles and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). Chlorhexidine (CHX) is encapsulated within micelles, allowing its controlled release. The alternating layers of CHX-micelles and PAA create a thin film that prevents the immediate release of the drug and ensures its sustained availability at the catheter surface, reducing the risk of uropathogen colonization. The layering process is optimized to maximize drug content and maintain the coating's structural integrity.

What are chlorhexidine-loaded micelles, and why are they important in the new catheter coating technology?

Chlorhexidine-loaded micelles are tiny spheres that encapsulate the antimicrobial agent chlorhexidine (CHX). These micelles are crucial because they allow for the controlled and sustained release of chlorhexidine directly at the surface of the urinary catheter. By encapsulating the chlorhexidine within micelles and using the layer-by-layer (LbL) coating technique the medication is released more gradually and effectively than simply coating the catheter with chlorhexidine directly.

What kind of testing is performed on the coated catheters to ensure their safety and effectiveness?

After the coating is applied using chlorhexidine-loaded micelles and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), the catheters undergo rigorous testing to evaluate their performance. These tests assess the rate of chlorhexidine (CHX) release to ensure it is sustained over time. Additionally, antibacterial activity is evaluated to confirm the coating's effectiveness in inhibiting bacterial growth. Cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity are also assessed to ensure that the coating is biocompatible and safe for use within the human body, meaning it does not harm human cells or blood.

What are the potential implications of using urinary catheters coated with chlorhexidine-loaded micelles for the future of UTI prevention, and what further research is needed?

Using urinary catheters coated with chlorhexidine-loaded micelles could significantly reduce the incidence of catheter-associated UTIs by providing a sustained release of antimicrobial agents directly at the point of contact. This technology has the potential to decrease reliance on antibiotics and combat antibiotic resistance. Further research is needed to refine these coatings, assess long-term efficacy, evaluate performance in diverse patient populations, and explore compatibility with different catheter materials. Clinical trials are essential to validate the effectiveness of these coatings in real-world settings and to determine their impact on patient outcomes and healthcare costs.