The V Needle A Failsafe Protection against Needle Dislodgement during Dialysis

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant On average more than sessions of hemodialysis are performed each week in the U S by more than end stage renal disease ESRD patients A grave danger to any of these patients is Venous Needle Dislodgement VND a catastrophic and potentially deadly unintended removal of the needle pumping blood back into the body Incident rate estimates vary widely but in any given week possibly more than hemodialysis patients will suffer an incidence of VND VND is a constant and ever present danger that looms over each and every one of the hemodialysis sessions performed each year in the US alone The entire industry is in dire need of an inexpensive practical and widely applicable solution that can easily insure patient safety during hemodialysis To fill this need Hemotek has invented the V Needle a disposable failsafe dialysis safety product that will protect hemodialysis patients from deadly bleed out during incidences of VND The V Needle will be a low cost easy to manufacture and simple to operate system that will protect patients from the devastating effects of VND In a Phase I SBIR study we conclusively showed the engineering characterizations that outlined the feasibility of manufacturing such a device In this Phase II project we now optimize that design and prepare the device for submission to the FDA for approval to market in the US Specific aim Meet with the FDA to finalize a regulatory strategy and Begin documentation Prepare a pre meeting report and Strategize with the FDA to solicit a regulatory plan Begin FDA mandated User Needs Design Inputs Output files for the Design History File Conduct and document a Risk Management Strategy Specific aim Develop an optimized alpha design for the V Needle Decrease design complexity by reducing the number of moldable components required Implement the V Needle with an `armingandapos mechanism that will simplify initial insertion Miniaturize the design so that the new product is within of current needle body sizes Specific aim Characterize and Assess the alpha V Needle iterate to beta Determine final V Needle component materials and Establish biocompatibility Quantify closing force backpressure and flow using a custom benchtop flow apparatus Establish human factors and other engineering criteria so the optimized V Needle meets intended user needs via clinical staff patient interviews Demonstrate that the alpha V Needle protects against dislodgement in animals dog Specific aim Determine beta V Needle safety and efficacy translate to pre production Assess clinical implementation via simulated use testing on training dummies Demonstrate that the beta V Needle protects against dislodgement in animals dog Specific aim Prepare and Submit a finalized K application to the FDA Collaborate with FDA consultants The Experien Group to prepare submit a K The internationally patent pending V Needle has the potential to save lives improve patient care and provide priceless peace of mind for hemodialysis patients and care providers In Phase II Hemotek will optimize our working prototype into a robust commercially viable product Phase II Randamp D efforts will center on product verification and validation including biocompatibility testing functionality testing animal testing and simulated use testing In addition all relevant FDA required documentation will be performed to enable an efficient FDA review At the end of Phase II Hemotek will have a full working and validated version of the V Needle ready for k submission to the FDA Rendition of a pre production prototype PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE In the US there are more than million sessions of hemodialysis every week A grave danger faced by every dialysis patient is venous needle dislodgement VND the inadvertent disconnection of the line pumping blood back into the body after filtration In this Phase II SBIR application Hemotek proposes to optimize a working design of a novel hemodialysis needle the V Needle The V Needle will automatically detect VND and work to immediately shut off the blood flow saving lives and increasing dialysis safety The work will be done according to FDA guidelines and an application for FDA approval of the device will be submitted upon conclusion of the Phase II activities