Using a special chest tube to reduce pain after heart surgery

Chest Tube with Sustained Release of Local Anesthetic Agents for Pain Reduction in Cardiothoracic Surgeries

NIH-funded research Medical Elution Devices LLC · NIH-11006814

This study is testing a new chest tube that helps reduce pain after heart surgery by releasing numbing medicine, making recovery easier and cutting down the need for strong painkillers.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMedical Elution Devices LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Austin, United States)
Project IDNIH-11006814 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new type of chest tube that releases local anesthetic agents to help manage pain after cardiac surgery. Chest tubes are often painful and can lead to the need for strong opioid medications, which have significant side effects. The goal is to create a chest tube that minimizes pain locally, reducing the reliance on systemic opioids and improving patient recovery. By testing this innovative approach, the research aims to enhance the overall experience for patients undergoing thoracic procedures.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing cardiac surgery who will require a chest tube post-operatively.

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

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce pain and improve recovery times for patients after cardiac surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While the concept of local anesthetic delivery is not entirely novel, this specific application in chest tubes for cardiac surgery is innovative and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Austin, 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.