A device to improve the diagnostic success of thoracentesis procedures: PulmoPivot
Unmet Need
The buildup of fluid in the chest cavity, called pleural effusion, that occurs in 1.5 million people in the U.S. every year is usually benign. However, it can also be the first indication of serious diseases including severe pneumonia and stage four cancer. It is therefore critical to accurately diagnose the cause of a patient’s pleural effusion so effective treatments can be introduced swiftly if needed. One method currently used for diagnosis is taking a biopsy of the pleural tissue, which can be relatively expensive and invasive. Another common diagnosis method performed approximately 200,000 times every year uses a catheter to drain and partially collect the fluid for testing using a thoracentesis kit. However, only 50 mL of the up to 1.5 L of fluid is analyzed. Notably, up to 50% of these procedures remain undiagnosed after the first drainage and require multiple thoracentesis for a diagnosis. There is a need for improving diagnoses of pleural effusions to improve patient outcomes.
Technology
Duke inventors have created a device to improve sampling and collection of infections and malignancies in patients undergoing thoracentesis procedures. The device is designed to be compatible with most chest drainage kits and can be integrated right before collection. Specifically, this is a system of membrane filters placed in series that increases bacterial and human cells collected. This technology is currently undergoing clinical testing at Duke Hospitals with pleural fluid samples as part of an IRB approved trial.
Advantages
- Use in a thoracentesis kit aims to offer a cost-effective and minimally invasive technology with diagnostic success rate comparable to pleural biopsies
- Inventors have researched customer and user feedback to develop to the solution