I-Corps: Enhanced Guidewire to Prevent Incidents of Retention in Cardiovascular Procedures

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $50,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This I-Corps project is based on the development of medical device designed to prevent guidewire retention incidents during catheterization of blood vessels. In vascular procedures, a guidewire serves as a support to help guide a catheter into blood vessels, ensuring accurate and secure placement. A guidewire is used in central venous catheterization, which is a common medical procedure performed over 5 million times annually in the United States for critically ill patients. Despite clinicians’ best efforts, the procedure carries a complication rate of 12–15%, including the rare but serious event of complete guidewire retention in the body, which can lead to serious medical complications and even death in up to 20% of cases. This technology addresses this issue with a fail-safe design that reduces reliance on human vigilance. It features a P-shaped tail that externally anchors the guidewire, preventing it from unintentionally slipping into the body. This design enhances procedural safety without increasing complexity or training burden. Use of this guidewire may improve patient safety, reduce liability risks for hospitals, and result in savings in healthcare costs. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of a modified guidewire designed to prevent retention incidents during central venous catheterization (CVC). CVC is a common medical procedure performed over 5

Key facts

NSF award ID
2533423
Awardee
George Washington University (DC)
SAM.gov UEI
ECR5E2LU5BL6
PI
Andrew C Meltzer
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Estimated total
$50,000
Funds obligated
$50,000
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
07/01/2025 → 03/31/2026