AI-guided 3D ultrasound to reduce needle injuries for people with dialysis fistulas
Official title: 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
Funded at Sonavex, INC. · NIH-11193967 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $999,997 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK131644-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193967 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People receiving hemodialysis who use an arteriovenous fistula and have routine cannulation at a dialysis center are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Sonavex, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kang, Xin — Sonavex, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kang, Xin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving ultrasound imaging to help arteriovenous fistulas mature for dialysis
This study is looking at new ways to use ultrasound to see how well arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are developing for patients on hemodialysis, helping doctors spot any issues early so they can ensure you get the dialysis treatment you need.
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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.