A new chest tube system to prevent clogs after heart surgery

TABA: Proactive Dual-Irrigation Cardiac Chest Tube to Maintain Postoperative Patency

NIH-funded research Circulatech LLC · NIH-11251843

This study is testing a new chest tube called ThoraFlush that helps keep tubes clear during heart surgeries, making recovery easier for patients and reducing the need for extra care from 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-11251843 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving chest tube technology used in cardiac surgeries to prevent complications caused by clogs. The current chest tubes often lead to incomplete drainage, resulting in significant patient issues and increased hospital costs. The new device, ThoraFlush, uses dual irrigation technology to automatically keep the tubes clear, reducing the need for manual maintenance by nursing staff. By testing this device in both laboratory and live models, the research aims to demonstrate its effectiveness in maintaining proper drainage and improving patient recovery.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients scheduled for cardiac procedures that require chest tube placement.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing cardiac surgery or do not require chest tubes 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 surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar technologies have shown promise in improving patient outcomes in other surgical contexts.

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.