Chest Drain Clip

Background

Thoracic surgery and emergency medicine continually necessitates effective and reliable chest cavity drainage. For chest drains that remain inserted in the patient for over 7 days, the risk of accidental retraction/repositioning and infection is greatly increased. 

Problem

Current suturing techniques require extensive training and skill to perform effectively. Furthermore, securing chest drains with medical tape can prevent clinicians from early diagnosis of wound site infection and drain leakage. In a study of intercostal chest drains, one quarter of all complications arose as a result of the drain falling out. A system is therefore required that provides effective fixation of the drain tube whilst allowing easy inspection of the wound incision site.

Solution

The chest drain clip provides secure drain fixation providing depth and orientation maintained irrespective of movements of the patients body. Prevents accidental removal. Also has flexible jaw grip allowing the tube to be gradually removed without resuturing. It has a simple design that requires minimal training, suitable for emergency applications.

Market Potential

There's a large global market for the new chest drain. Over 1 million cardio-thoracic surgical interventions are performed each year in the USA and Europe requiring at least one chest drain. The device also has applications in other markets such as cranial, abdominal and pelvic cavity drainage.

This product is currently available to license from NHSIL.