Phraxis Inc., a Minneapolis-based medical device company, has received FDA approval for its EndoForce™ Connector for Endovascular Venous Anastomosis, marking a significant advancement in dialysis access technology for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
The newly approved device is a patented endovascular implant specifically designed to modernize the creation of arteriovenous grafts (AVGs), which are essential vascular access points for patients requiring regular hemodialysis treatments. What sets EndoForce™ apart is its ability to enable endovascular anastomosis—the connection between the graft and the patient's vein—without requiring surgical dissection of the venous anastomosis.
Innovative Design Features
The EndoForce™ Connector incorporates several proprietary elements that contribute to its clinical effectiveness. These include anchoring barbs that secure the device within the vein, a flexible ePTFE-covered nitinol segment that conforms to both the graft and vessel wall, and a compressible section that expands securely within the AVG upon deployment.
This configuration creates a stable, end-to-end anastomosis designed to promote laminar blood flow and reduce turbulent shear stress—factors known to contribute to endothelial buildup and eventual graft failure. The device is compatible with standard 6mm ePTFE arteriovenous grafts commonly used in clinical practice.
Dr. John Ross, lead principal investigator for the pivotal study, highlighted the device's potential: "I'm excited to see the EndoForce™ provide a novel anastomotic option for AVG creation. This straightforward and innovative approach enhances procedural efficiency while addressing key challenges in vascular access. Its unique design has the potential to reduce complications such as intimal hyperplasia at the graft-to-vein anastomosis, ultimately supporting improved long-term outcomes for dialysis patients."
Strong Clinical Performance
The FDA approval follows a pivotal, multicenter, single-arm study in which EndoForce™ demonstrated impressive clinical results. The device met its primary endpoint of cumulative patency at six months with a 92% patency rate—a critical measure of success for dialysis access interventions. Secondary endpoints, including primary patency and technical success, further validated the device's strong performance.
By promoting precise, coaxial vessel-to-graft alignment, the EndoForce™ Connector is engineered to reduce tissue trauma, streamline procedural workflow, and support long-term graft performance—addressing several key challenges in current dialysis access creation methods.
Addressing Critical Needs in Dialysis Care
For the approximately 786,000 Americans living with ESRD, maintaining reliable vascular access for hemodialysis remains a significant clinical challenge. Traditional surgical approaches to creating AVGs often face complications including stenosis, thrombosis, and infection, frequently requiring interventions to maintain patency.
The EndoForce™ technology represents a potential paradigm shift in addressing these challenges through its minimally invasive approach and design features specifically targeting common failure modes.
Dr. Alexander Yevzlin, CEO of Phraxis Inc., emphasized the significance of this regulatory milestone: "FDA approval of the EndoForce™ Connector marks a major advancement for the dialysis community. The device introduces a new standard for AVG creation and has demonstrated exceptional ease of use and procedural reliability. While long-term outcomes are still being evaluated, we remain optimistic about its potential to improve dialysis care."
Market Availability and Future Outlook
The EndoForce™ Connector is now commercially available to healthcare providers and clinicians across the United States. Phraxis has indicated its commitment to supporting the successful integration of EndoForce™ into clinical practice through comprehensive training and education programs.
While the current approval focuses on the device's application in creating arteriovenous grafts, the underlying technology platform may have broader applications in vascular and endovascular procedures—potentially opening additional therapeutic areas for future development.
As the dialysis community continues to seek innovations that improve patient outcomes and quality of life, the EndoForce™ Connector represents a meaningful step forward in addressing the persistent challenges of vascular access management for this vulnerable patient population.
