Objective
The ageing population is a growing problem and the issue is discussed frequently at UN conferences. The life quality for European citizens, such as people in need of regular haemodialysis, is important issues with high priorities for the EC. It is expected a large increase of chronic kidney failures in the coming decades. The average cost for a haemodialysis patient is about 60 000 Euro/year. A major problem is the arteriovenous access to the patient's blood vessels. In 70% of the cases a fistula is used, made by a surgically connection of two blood vessels. The major problem is the cost for multiple operations due to a short fistula life length - the dialysis needle damages the fistula. Creation of a new fistula takes about 8 weeks of maturing, which results in unnecessary pain for the patient and high costs for the society (fistula costs 16000 Euro/patient/year). Therefore our project has highest priority for all partners of the project.
The overall objective is to develop a new, flexible, low-cost fistula catheter based on novel technology such as memory materials in order to improve the dialysis treatment for patients and reduce the risks connected with dialysis.
The RTD will concentrate on how to solve the technical problems with the:
flexible cannulae - no sharp edges damaging the fistula
flow optimization - decreasing the dialyse time
Results exploitation
The result will be a new low-cost, highly flexible catheter with increased flow rates for hospitals and dialysis clinics. The SME proposers will exploit the results by selling the systems in Europe and the USA. SME partners in other countries will be able to buy production/sales licences. Exploitation and dissemination of result will start in Medica in Dusseldorf 2007/8. The market for haemodialysis is already large and is increasing with the aging population. Through this RTD project the competitiveness of the SME proposers will be much improved.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP6-2003-SME-1
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Data not availableCoordinator
BORÅS
Sweden