AI-guided 3D ultrasound to reduce needle injuries for people with dialysis fistulas
Clinical Trial to Demonstrate Impact of an AI-enabled 3D Ultrasound-based Guidance System in Reducing Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation Injury and Improving Patient Quality of Life
An AI-guided 3D ultrasound tool to help dialysis technicians find and use arteriovenous fistulas more safely for people receiving hemodialysis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sonavex, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193967 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I am on hemodialysis and this project uses an AI-enabled 3D ultrasound guidance system to help technicians locate and cannulate my AV fistula. The device creates a 3D visualization and gives guidance so staff can place needles with less trauma. The trial compares usual cannulation practices to using the AI-3D tool and records outcomes like cannulation injuries, catheter days, infections, and patient quality of life. If I participate, I'll have imaging and my treatment outcomes tracked during the study period.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People receiving hemodialysis who use an arteriovenous fistula and have routine cannulation at a dialysis center are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not use an AV fistula, such as those on peritoneal dialysis or exclusively using permanent central venous catheters, are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the technology could lower needle-related injuries, reduce catheter days and infections, and improve quality of life for people on hemodialysis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows that ultrasound-guided cannulation by trained physicians reduced catheter time and infections, but AI-enabled 3D guidance for dialysis technicians is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, UNITED STATES
- Sonavex, INC. — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kang, Xin — Sonavex, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kang, Xin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.