Sanford Health and Freudenberg Medical Partner to Develop Infusion System

Sanford Health and Freudenberg Medical, a global developer and manufacturer for the medical device industry, have entered into a joint research and development agreement to create a device to treat blood clots and blockages within blood vessels. The catheter will infuse medications to exact locations in an artery or vein, helping to restore blood flow.
 
It was invented by Patrick Kelly, M.D., of Sanford Health Innovations, which is part of Sanford Health. Kelly is a vascular surgeon with an engineering background who collaborates broadly in search of innovative ways to solve medical problems. This agreement allows Freudenberg Medical to determine the commercial potential of this device. Once the catheter has been developed, next steps would include early pre-clinical testing and eventual pursuit of a 510(k), an FDA review that allows a company to legally market a device in the United States.
 
“I look at the issues my patients have and the available treatments, and our team is always trying to find a way to improve those treatments. Combining medicine with engineering and a real desire to keep people independent and ambulatory is what drives me every day,” Kelly said. “I look forward to working with Freudenberg Medical to make this idea come to life.”
 
“There has to be a better, more efficient, less expensive way to treat blood clots and blockages,” Kelly said. “We’re trying to find it.”
 
Freudenberg Medical specializes in the design, development and manufacture of innovative medical products, and its experienced Minimally Invasive Solutions engineering group is well suited to evaluate and optimize Kelly’s catheter concept.
 
“As a partner for innovation, we are committed to proactively addressing unmet clinical needs and offering our medical device customers a growing portfolio of finished device, design, and process solutions that improve efficiency and accelerate their time to market,” said Bernie Kaeferlein, Director of Portfolio Management at Freudenberg Medical. “Collaborating with Dr. Kelly and Sanford Health establishes a strong working relationship for developing much needed new products that improve treatment options and reduce cost of care.”