I see that the Lifesite device won a medical device design award. There isn't much information about it listed yet. Is it a catheter-like device that implants under the skin? Do you stick the same place every time? How long has this been in use in Europe? Who is doing the investigational trials in the US?

VascA, Inc. is the medical device company that has the LifeSite Hemodialysis Access System currentely in US Clinical Trials. The website for VascA and the LifeSite is www.lifesite.com The device did just win the design award. The device is an implantalbe valve and cannula that you access via a fiatula needle. See the website for more details.


[Note: This message has been edited by Deborah Brouwer]

The web site doesn't say a whole lot.

This device is used for both hemo and PD? huh?

Currently the device is under clinical investigation in the US but is commercially available in Europe for both HD and PD (since April 1998). The device also has market clearance in Canada for HD (since Aug 1998)
Since the device is currently under investigation,I cannot provide you any more information than what is found on the Web site. I would be happy, however, to provide you additional information when it becomes availabe. Please forward your name, address and phone # to VascA so that you can be added to the VascA list. Thanks for your interest in the VascA technology.