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Nitric oxide-eluting catheter insert may prevent infection, thrombosis
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A nitric oxide-eluting, disposable hemodialysis catheter insert may lower mortality rates for patients with kidney disease by preventing infection and thrombosis.
“Dependence on catheters for vascular access is one of the most important factors that affects this high mortality rate due to the tendency of catheters to lead to infection and inflammation,” Alexander Yevzlin, MD, of the University of Michigan told Nephrology News & Issues.
The device was developed by Yevzlin and a team of researchers for Kidney X on behalf of the University of Michigan and J. Zentgraf Product Development Consulting. Yevzlin developed the device with the Meyerhoff Group, a team at the University of Michigan that has published previous research on nitric oxide (NO) release polymers.
Nitric oxide is an endogenously formed gaseous molecule known for its antimicrobial properties and ability to inhibit platelet activation. According to the Kidney X proposal, the NO catheter insert provides antimicrobial and antithrombotic effects while decreasing fibrin sheath formation and central vein stenosis associated with tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC) use.
By preventing infection and other complications, the insert reportedly will reduce TDC-related hospitalizations and mortality. The insert was designed to improve patient quality of life by increasing patients’ abilities to perform daily activities and by reducing the burden on family members. The insert also increases access to renal replacement therapy, according to the proposal.
The disposable insert is replaced every 2 to 3 days at each dialysis session. According to Yevzlin, the device will require no additional training for the patient and the care team. A proposal for the insert was awarded $75,000 in funding from the Kidney X Redesign Dialysis phase 1 competition for its potential to improve patient quality of life.
“We plan to manufacture the device in different chemical formulations and physical properties and to test the devices in a bioreactor, as well as a sheep model,” he said. “If the bench and animal studies go well, we will apply for the second phase of the Kidney X Prize to test the device in man.” – by Julia Lowndes
Reference:
www.kidneyx.org/PrizeCompetitions/PastCompetitions/redesigndialysisphaseiproposal45
Disclosure: Yevzlin reports no relevant financial disclosures.