Medical Devices

Vanderbilt researchers have designed a low-cost, point-of-care device that non-invasively monitors peripheral venous pressure (PVP) to ensure proper placement of peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheters in patients. Use of this device will ensure proper administration of intravenous fluids and intravenous drugs. The device will also prevent the administration of fluid and potent pharmacologic agents into the subcutaneous tissue or fascia, commonly known as "IV infiltration."

The tissue of the human body is separated by planes separated by minimal fluid, and it is often desirable to enter into the space between these planes to perform procedures including delivery or removal of fluid/therapeutics. Accurately and harmlessly placing catheters within these planes is very difficult because of the very close proximity of the tissues -- often within 1mm. The Transductive Access Catheter System solves these problems by allowing the operator to insert a shallow beveled needle into the space of interest using a hollow inner catheter that is filled with saline to probe much like a micro water hammer to detect difference in resistance to flow at the tip of the catheter. The primary competing technology uses suction to pull on the outer tissue which increases the target space volume at the catheter; however this has limitations of tissue rigidity and thickness (PerDUCER, Comedicus). Due to the versatility across disciplines, a wide variety of applications for this catheter exist, which include: Pericardial Space Infusion or Drainage, Pleural Space Infusion or Drainage, Subdural and Epidural Infusion, and Intraocular Fluid Space Infusion or Drainage.

Vanderbilt researchers have created a low-cost, removable Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) stent for pediatric patients. There is currently no commercially available pediatric PDA stent, but it is estimated that over 3,000 babies are born each year in the United States with cyanotic heart disease; a significant fraction of whom can benefit from temporary placement of the PDA stent described here.

A method for simplifying the process of designing a platform for minimally invasive surgery. The platform is designed to attach to a set of bone-implanted anchors attached to the patient. This method makes the fitting of the platform to the anchors simpler and easier.

A microcatheter with a deployable parachute attached to its distal tip: The parachute in its retracted position lies flush against the exterior wall of the distal segment of the catheter. Control strings, cables or wires traverse the length of the microcatheter through channels within its wall and exit through strategically placed apertures at the tip of the microcatheter to attach to the parachute. When the parachute is deployed, the microcatheter is guided by blood flow or jets of liquid that are injected through the microcatheter. When the parachute is retracted, the microcatheter may be used with a guidewire to superselect vasculature. The microcatheter device has multiple uses permitting diagnostic and therapeutic superselective angiography.