Unmet Need
The use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) has increased by 30.3% in developed countries in the last 12 years. PD is usually used in the treatment of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Around 10% of ESRD patients undergo PD for renal replacement therapy. PD is administered through an indwelling catheter in the peritoneal cavity. Fluid is infused through the catheter, which will bathe the peritoneal surfaces with dialysate. The success of PD is dependent upon the free flow of fluid through the catheter. A common cause of failure of PD is catheter migration out of the pelvis. The result leads to poor catheter-mediated exchanges, causing ineffective dialysis. It has been proposed that the catheter could be sutured in place at the time of placement, but a PD catheter occasionally requires removal. Thus, there is a need for a way to keep a catheter in place during procedures, but allow for easy removal as needed.
Technology Overview
The inventors have developed multiple embodiments of an invention to secure a PD catheter into position, while still affording ease in removal of the catheter. The first embodiment consists of a PD catheter with integrated magnets along its length. The integrated magnets will adhere to an anchoring magnet, placed in the abdominal wall. The anchoring magnet can be placed either laparoscopically or percutaneously. This results in secure and reliable positioning of the catheter, with a reversible fixation of the drain if required. If the PD catheter moves out of position, an external magnet can re-position it easily. The second embodiment of the invention is for PD catheters that are inserted without the magnetic attachment. The inventors have created a supplementary invention that is a magnetic insert which is advanced into the lumen of the PD catheter to its most distal point. The insert is fitted with neodymium magnets that attract to an external magnetic source, which can serve for catheter repositioning.
Stage of Development
The invention is currently undergoing development and testing.
