A new chest tube system to prevent clogs after heart surgery

Proactive Dual-Irrigation Cardiac Chest Tube to Maintain Postoperative Patency

NIH-funded research Circulatech LLC · NIH-11007859

This study is testing a new chest tube system called ThoraFlush, which helps keep tubes clear after heart surgery by automatically flushing them with saline, making recovery easier for patients and reducing the work for nurses.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCirculatech LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pembroke Pines, United States)
Project IDNIH-11007859 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a novel chest tube system called ThoraFlush, designed to prevent clogs that can occur after cardiac surgery. The system uses dual irrigation technology to continuously flush the tube with saline, reducing the need for manual maintenance by nursing staff. By automating this process, the ThoraFlush aims to improve patient outcomes by ensuring better drainage and minimizing complications associated with clogged tubes. The research will test the effectiveness of this system in both laboratory and live models to ensure it outperforms current methods.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients scheduled for cardiac surgery who will require chest tube drainage postoperatively.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing cardiac surgery or those who do not require chest tube drainage will likely not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to fewer complications and faster recovery times for patients undergoing cardiac procedures.

How similar studies have performed: Similar approaches in improving chest drainage systems have shown promise, indicating potential for success with this novel technology.

Where this research is happening

Pembroke Pines, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.