Improved Biomaterials for Urinary and Dialysis Catheters (SBIR) (R43/R44) | Apply Online

FAQs: NIH PA-13-050 - Improved Biomaterials for Urinary and Dialysis Catheters (SBIR) (R43/R44)

What is NIH PA-13-050?

PA-13-050 is an NIH funding opportunity announcement (FOA) titled "Improved Biomaterials for Urinary and Dialysis Catheters (SBIR) (R43/R44)." It is a discretionary grant program intended to support small business research and development aimed at improving biomaterials used in urinary and dialysis catheters.

What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?

The main goal is to advance practical R&D that leads to better catheter biomaterials, especially biomaterials that can reduce complications that occur when catheters remain in the body for extended periods (indwelling use).

What types of catheters are the focus of this FOA?

The FOA focuses on indwelling catheters used for dialysis or urinary drainage. It also references applications such as intravenous, intraperitoneal, or intravesicular catheter use, as long as the work is aimed at improving performance in dialysis and urinary settings.

What clinical problems is this FOA trying to address?

The FOA targets common complications associated with catheter use, including infection, blockage, device failure, and inflammation. A major emphasis is on preventing or reducing cell and microorganism attachment to catheter surfaces, which can lead to biofilm formation and related complications.

Why are biofilms such a concern for catheters?

Biofilms can form when microorganisms adhere to catheter surfaces. Once established, biofilms can make microbes far more resistant to antibiotics and immune clearance, increasing the likelihood of recurrent infection or systemic illness and contributing to catheter failure.

Does the FOA address inflammation as well as infection?

Yes. In addition to microbial adhesion and biofilm formation, the FOA highlights the need to address both local and systemic inflammatory responses triggered by catheter materials. Inflammation can contribute to tissue irritation, scarring, discomfort, encrustation, and broader complications that shorten catheter dwell time or require repeated interventions.

What kinds of technical approaches are encouraged?

The FOA is interested in biomaterials or surface modifications designed to reduce or ideally eliminate (1) adhesion of cells and microorganisms and (2) inflammatory responses. Examples mentioned include new polymer formulations, coatings, surface texturing, anti-fouling chemistries, antimicrobial or anti-biofilm approaches, and other materials science strategies focused on real-world catheter performance.

Is this opportunity focused on basic research or product-oriented development?

The FOA emphasizes translational R&D rather than basic science for its own sake. The intended outcome is research that can plausibly translate into safer, more durable, and more biocompatible catheter products for dialysis and urinary applications.

What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?

This FOA uses the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) mechanism, specifically SBIR Phase I (R43) and SBIR Phase II (R44). Phase I generally supports feasibility and proof-of-concept work, while Phase II supports more advanced development, optimization, and validation.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to small businesses, consistent with the SBIR program structure described in the FOA.

Is cost-sharing or matching required?

No. The FOA states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which can be important for small businesses planning budgets and financing.

Which NIH program area is this tied to?

The opportunity is associated with NIH and is tied to the institute and program area reflected in CFDA 93.847 (Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research), aligning with dialysis and urinary tract relevance.

When was PA-13-050 posted, and is it still active?

The FOA was posted and created on December 18, 2012. It had an original and final closing date of January 7, 2016, and an archive date of February 7, 2016. Based on these dates, it is not an active opportunity today.

If the FOA is archived, why does it still matter?

Even though it is archived, it can still be a useful reference for understanding the type of catheter-focused biomaterials development NIH has supported and may continue to support under newer or reissued announcements.

Where can someone find the complete original announcement?

The FOA points to the NIH Grants page for the full announcement: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-050.html

What kind of help contact information is provided in the excerpt?

The excerpt lists NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster emails for access or linking issues (FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV). The assistance indicated in the provided information is primarily technical help for reaching the full announcement, rather than a specific program officer contact.

What performance goals does the FOA emphasize for catheter materials?

Based on the provided information, the FOA emphasizes reducing or eliminating adhesion of cells and microorganisms and reducing inflammatory responses. The broader performance goals implied include fewer infections and blockages, improved durability, improved biocompatibility, and longer, safer catheter dwell time.

Does the FOA specify particular testing, review criteria, or milestones?

The provided summary notes that detailed requirements (including review criteria, expected milestones, human factors considerations, relevant performance testing, and suggested research topics) would be found in the complete original FOA on the NIH site, rather than in the excerpt itself.