NeedleSafe. Technology to eliminate infection after biopsies

Nerea Mangado

UPF, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain

Prostate cancer affects one in seven men. Although ultrasound-guided transrectal prostate biopsy is considered the standard method of diagnosis, this is not a harmless procedure. The inevitable perforation of the rectal wall during biopsy means that bacteria from the rectum, naturally safely confined there, can cause a serious infection. At the moment, the only way to prevent these infections is to use antibiotics. However, increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics has led to increased complications in this respect. It is estimated that between 2% and 5% of patients suffer from severe infections. Treating these patients in the United States alone costs more than $600 million annually.

NeedleSafe uses a technology capable of eliminating the risk of infection following biopsy procedures. This technology consists of generating a long-lasting antibacterial effect by the electrical release of silver ions from a thin silver coating on the needles.