Kurin Inc. Receives U.S. Patent on Blood Culture Collection Device

Kurin Inc., inventor and manufacturer of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k)-cleared Kurin blood culture collection sets, has been issued a U.S. patent for a blood sample optimization system for reducing or eliminating contaminants in collected specimens, which are a significant factor in causing contaminated blood cultures.

The Kurin blood culture collection set is a replacement for traditional collection sets, introducing technology to divert skin contaminants while preserving the standard blood culture collection technique for clinicians. Like regular blood culture sets, Kurin sets include a butterfly needle for venipuncture or luer connection to a peripheral catheter and a needle for filling a culture bottle. Unique to Kurin is the Kurin Lock blood sequestration device, which includes a chamber for diversion of the initial aliquot of blood that often contains skin contaminants from the venipuncture site. After diversion, the Kurin Lock automatically bypasses the sequestration chamber to convey subsequent blood flow through another channel into the culture bottle.
 
“This patent is the first step in building intellectual property protection for our unique blood diversion technology,” said Bob Rogers, inventor and CEO. “This U.S. patent strengthens our position in the market and delineates our approach from previous diversion methods. The simplicity of this product is critical to caregiver compliance. With no need for manual manipulation, a Kurin set makes it effortless for clinicians to incorporate diversion, a proven method of lowering contaminated blood cultures, into their routine collection process.”
 
Blood culture diversion technology can benefit hospitals and health systems, which suffer significant financial losses due to false positive blood culture results. When sepsis is erroneously indicated, unnecessary treatment and testing may ensue. Furthermore, patients who receive false positive blood culture results may be subjected to unneeded antibiotic treatment and an extended hospital stay, putting them at risk for further adverse events.

Kurin Inc., a certified minority business enterprise (MBE), is focused on the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of products that help healthcare providers reduce contaminated blood cultures. San Diego, Calif.-based Kurin has received FDA 510(k) market clearance.