Create
Design Project Gallery
Dialyseal: Leak-Resistant Catheter for Peritoneal Dialysis
- Program: Biomedical Engineering
- Course: EN.580.298/497 Advanced Design Team
- Year: 2026
Project Description:
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the preferred renal replacement therapy for infants with kidney failure, yet dialysate leakage occurs at high rates due to thin abdominal walls and the frequent need for urgent-start dialysis. Leakage increases infection risk and mortality, but current catheters require a two-week recovery period for tissue ingrowth before dialysis can safely begin. This paper details the development and evaluation of an infant PD catheter that creates an immediate watertight seal at the insertion site, enabling PD cycling nearly immediately. We demonstrate laparoscopic compatibility with existing clinical workflows and robustness under simulated intraperitoneal pressures, resulting in significant reduction in exit-site leakage versus standard catheters. In situ porcine cadaver testing further validating leak prevention at clinically relevant pressures. This device has the potential to improve safety and feasibility of PD in infants, with future iterations targeting pediatric and adult patients.
Project Photo:
The Dialyseal logo
