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According to federal authorities, a Skokie doctor is facing federal charges for allegedly using a veterinary catheter to perform medical birth procedures on his patients.

According to a press release from the US Department of Justice, Dr. Joel G. Brasch was charged on Wednesday with illegal use of veterinary catheter devices on his patients as part of intrauterine insemination treatment between 2016 and 2018.

The press release stated that these devices are considered "adulterated because they have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in human patients."

Intrauterine insemination is a medical fertility procedure.

The press release stated that Blasch, 61, from Skokie was responsible for receiving and delivering adulterated equipment in interstate commerce. This charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison and a fine of up to 100,000 U.S. dollars.

There is no arrangement for a subpoena in the Federal Court.

Brasch is listed as the medical director of Chicago IVF. The company has offices in Orange Park, St. Charles, and Warrenville, and two offices in northwestern Indiana.

Chicago IVF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Blasch could not be reached immediately for comment.

"The use of veterinary equipment in medical procedures such as IUI poses a threat to the health and safety of patients," U.S. Attorney John R. Rausch in the Northern District of Illinois said in a press release. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who endanger public health through the use of adulterated medical equipment."

According to the press release, the use of equipment specifically designed for animals puts patients at risk.

A representative of the US Food and Drug Administration said in a press release: “In procedures such as IUI, the procedures should be strictly followed at every step to protect the health and safety of patients and ensure the effectiveness of the procedures.”

Brian L. Cox is a freelance journalist.