L2M DialySnake: A novel, minimally invasive tool to remove intraluminal fibrin plugs and restore peritoneal dialysis catheter patency

This project will focus on helping to bring the DialySnake, which is a novel medical device, closer to market. The DialySnake is a low-cost, minimally invasive tool designed to unclog blocked peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters at patients’ bedsides in an average of 5 minutes. Currently, when peritoneal dialysis catheters become blocked, hospitals often rely on costly and invasive procedures like emergency surgery, which cost upwards of $25,000 CAD, also exposing very sick patients to risky general anesthesia and post-operative complications. The DialySnake offers a simple, safe, and fast solution that could greatly improve patient care while reducing strain on hospital resources, as it provides a 99% cost reduction in PD catheter restoration in urban and rural areas.
Over the course of four months, this project will validate the device’s commercial potential by working closely with healthcare stakeholders, including nephrologists, dialysis nurses, hospital administrators, and procurement teams. The intern will conduct interviews to understand clinical workflows, gather feedback on the device’s value, and assess interest in pilot programs. The project will also include competitor research, pricing analysis, and the development of a go-to-market strategy tailored to Canadian and U.S. healthcare systems.
By the end of the project, NephroTech will have a clear understanding of how to position DialySnake for success in real clinical settings, along with a roadmap for early sales, pilot partnerships, and commercialization. This work will support the partner organization in refining its business model, building early strategic relationships, and ensuring the product aligns with real-world needs, thereby accelerating its path to improving dialysis care in Canada and beyond.

Faculty Supervisor:

Monica Farcas

Student:

Partner:

DMZ Ventures Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto

Program: