TimeUp. A device to diagnose urinary tract infections

Jimmy Martins

Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal

Health Care Associated Infections (HCAI) are one of the biggest concerns in hospital environments and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) associated with the use of indwelling urinary catheter represent 30 % of the total of the HCAI. These Infections are responsible for worsening the health status of already debilitated patients, increasing length of hospital stay, mortality and morbidity, the cost of treatment and specific care and dedication by health professionals.

Warned of and sensibilized by the situation Martins’ team created TimeUp. This medical device allows the detection of a UTI in early stages by the detection and identification of pathogenic bacteria (able to cause a UTI) in the urine, using easy to read color change as a result. This early stage diagnostic will either alert the need for a change of catheter or will provide the means for a judicious medical intervention and prescription, thus increasing the success rate of treatment. The project’s technology increases treatment success while decreasing the complications associated with a late diagnostic, which reduces the hospitalization days and cost per patient and could avoid the use of antibiotics.

TimeUp is a small device that is plugged between the catheter and the urine bag, constantly monitoring the patient's urine. This 24/7 control makes the detection of a possible infection independent of healthcare professionals’ decision on when to sample the urine and perform the analysis.