Visual and Tactile Verification and Securing System for Needle Thoracostomy

A needle thoracostomy (NT) device that 1) provides visual and tactile confirmation of entry into the chest cavity and 2) stabilizes catheter placement to prevent dislodgement.
Problem:
Pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition in which air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, leading to circulatory and respiratory compromise. The current standard treatment for a pneumothorax, needle thoracostomy (NT), suffers from high failure rates, with studies showing up to 94% of needles failing to reach the pleural space and many catheters landing over 5 mm short of correct placement. Current devices rely heavily on auditory cues such as a “rush of air”, which are unreliable in noisy environments. In addition, the NT is prone to getting dislodged with patient transport since there are no effective ways to secure the device. These shortcomings can make a critical, lifesaving emergency procedure inconsistent and ineffective.
Solution:
This technology, developed by Penn emergency medicine physicians, replaces unreliable auditory verification with visual (air bubbles in saline) cues to confirm pleural entry. It integrates access and stabilization into one device by combining a penetrating needle, syringe-based detection system, and an integrated anchor.
Technology:
This device allows clinicians to follow the same needle thoracostomy procedure, with the added visual confirmation of entry into the pleural space. As the needle reaches the pleural space, air enters the device and forms visible bubbles in the saline to confirm entry. A skin anchor subsequently enables the NT-system to anchor securely in place.

Advantages:

Visual confirmation of pleural entry
Device allows for secure placement and prevents dislodgement during patient transport
Addresses complications of standard angiocatheter-based NT procedures
Improves operator workflow in noisy environments by avoiding unreliable auditory verification cues

Stage of Development: