THE CHALLENGE
The challenge in treating equine guttural pouch chondroids presents a significant barrier not only to effective veterinary care but also to scalability in equine health solutions. These hardened pus concretions, formed during chronic Streptococcus equi infections, lodge deep within the guttural pouch—an anatomically narrow, air-filled cavity surrounded by vital nerves and arteries—making removal technically demanding. Current removal methods, such as endoscopic retrieval and lavage, are often inefficient, incomplete, or risk injury, requiring repeated procedures that drive up costs, prolong recovery, and reduce client satisfaction. Surgical options, though more definitive, involve general anesthesia, high risk of complications, and extensive recovery time, limiting their practicality and market adoption. These limitations create a clear unmet need for a safe, cost-effective, and minimally invasive solution that ensures thorough clearance in a single procedure—offering strong commercial potential for innovation in both equine medicine and veterinary device development.
OUR SOLUTION
Our solution is a low-cost, single-use 3D-printed device designed to safely and efficiently clear hardened pus masses (chondroids) from a horse's guttural pouch without the need for invasive surgery. It features a rigid handle and a long, flexible shaft with a curved, soft-tipped end that delivers pulsed fluid jets to dislodge and flush debris through a small laser-created opening. Tested in cadaver trials, it removed over 96% of simulated blockages in under four minutes with minimal tissue impact. Unlike traditional tools that are either too rigid, too slow, or require general anesthesia, this device combines targeted fluid flow and gentle mechanical action to offer a fast, effective, and minimally invasive alternative. Its customizable, 3D-printed design supports scalable production and strong market differentiation, meeting a clear clinical need with a practical, commercially viable solution.
Figure: Custom 3D-printed instrument and cadaveric head set-up.
Advantages:
Potential Application: