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

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · George Washington University (DC) · $50,000

## 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 organization:** 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

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2533423

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2533423, I-Corps:  Enhanced Guidewire to Prevent Incidents of Retention in Cardiovascular Procedures. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2533423. Licensed CC0.

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