Evaluating the position of external ventricular drain catheters during surgery

Intra-operative Evaluation of the External Ventricular Drain Catheter Position With Structured Light

Observational Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · NCT05931991

This study is testing a new method for placing drainage tubes in the brain during surgery to see if it can help doctors position them more accurately and improve patient safety.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment15 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Academic / other
Locations1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
Trial IDNCT05931991 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study focuses on the placement of external ventricular drainage (EVD) catheters, a critical procedure for relieving elevated intracranial pressure. It aims to validate a novel technology called Bullseye EVD, which provides a structured light method for verifying catheter positioning during emergency procedures. The study addresses the high rate of malpositioning associated with traditional freehand techniques, which can lead to complications such as infection and the need for revision. By improving the accuracy of catheter placement, the study seeks to enhance patient outcomes in critical care settings.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older who are scheduled to undergo EVD placement and have pre-procedural head CT imaging.

Not a fit: Patients for whom the setup time for the procedure poses a safety risk may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce the rates of catheter malpositioning and associated complications in patients requiring EVD placement.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using structured light for catheter positioning is innovative, similar studies have not been widely reported, making this a novel investigation.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥18 years of age
2. Scheduled to undergo placement of an EVD
3. Located in B5 ICU or CRCU
4. Existing pre-procedural head CT imaging

Exclusion Criteria:

1\. Set up time poses a safety risk (Clinical discretion)

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Intracranial Pressure IncreaseExternal Ventricular DrainIntracranial PressureEVD malpositioning
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.