HD+, StarFish Partner to Develop Home Hemo Machine

PORTLAND, Ore.—Home Dialysis Plus is partnering with a Canadian company to speed up the development of its home hemodialysis machine.

The partnership comes on the heels of Home Dialysis Plus partnering with Hewlett-Packard to use its inkjet technology for the home hemo machine’s dialysate proportioning system.

In the latest deal, Vancouver, B.C.-based StarFish Medical will help Home Dialysis Plus develop the new home hemo machine and will also provide system integration services.

“The partnership will dramatically accelerate the development cycle and time to market for the system,” according to Home Dialysis Plus, which is the fourth new StarFish client this year in the areas of nephrology and hematology.  

StarFish helps design, develop and manufacture medical devices for its clientele. The company’s team has expertise in engineering physics, electronics, software, firmware, mechanical engineering, industrial design and manufacturing transfer.

“With an increasing focus on home healthcare as an affordable and efficient treatment option, HD+ expects to offer patients the ability to track and manage their treatment more effectively and with improved results,” said Michael Baker, CEO, Home Dialysis Plus.

The Home Dialysis Plus home hemodialysis machine, intended to be used for nocturnal dialysis treatments, is expected to be about the size of a suitcase and could be commercially available by the end of 2010.

“We are excited to partner with HD+,” said Scott Phillips, president, StarFish Medical. “This project is a perfect match for the comprehensive technology development, product design and system integration skills at StarFish. We are delighted to be able to contribute to the success of this important new company and their breakthrough technology.”