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Partner sought for prototype development of a needle assembly for relieving a pneumothorax

Country of Origin: Germany
Reference Number: TODE20181205001
Publication Date: 7 December 2018

Summary

A German research institute has developed a needle assembly for relieving a pneumothorax. The newly developed needle assembly is one simple medical instrument providing all processing steps. It makes this life-threatening procedure easier and faster to handle compared to state-of-the-art solutions. The inventors are now looking for partners for prototype development, e.g. under a technical/research cooperation agreement. Further, partners for a license agreement are sought.

Description

The German Research Institute is mainly active in the field of healthcare. It has worked on a new approach to treat a pneumothorax, i.e. a collapses lung, by developing a needle assembly. The standard procedure to treat a pneumothorax is a mini-thoracotomy, i.e. a medical surgery to open the thoracic cavity wall with a scalpel or scissors followed by inserting a flexible tube into the pleural cavity to reinstate the vacuum. In the life-threatening event of a tension pneumothorax, the thorax will first be punctured with a needle, followed by the above described mini-thoracotomy. The mini-thoracotomy is time consuming, complex and needs experienced personnel. 

In contrast to this complex approach, the innovative needle assembly is one simple medical instrument that provides all processing steps needed to relieve a  pneumothorax. Thus, it directly allows a safe patient transport without any additional procedures. More precisely, the needle assembly comprises a particular double-curved cannula with a cutting end for puncturing the thoracic cavity (technical term: Veress cannula). The needle entails a safety mechanism, which avoids inadvertently cutting of the lung. Moreover, a fixing bulge holds the device in its position and seals the incision. The proximal end portion of the needle assembly can be connected to a suction tube to remove fluid or gas from the cavity, while the intrusion of air into the pleural cavity is prevented by a one-way valve.

The Research Institute is looking for partners to develop a prototype of the designed needle assembly. This partnership can be achieved by, for example, entering into a technical cooperation agreement. Besides, as the developers aim to bring the needle assembly into the market, partners for license agreements are sought.

Advantages and Innovations

- Comprises only one medical instrument to relieve the pneumothorax (crucial in emergency situations,

when fully medical trained personnel, time and surgical equipment are lacking)

- Enables a safe patient transport with one fast step

- Prevents serious inadvertent injuries by the cutting end during movement of the thoracic cavity or lung and

guides the unexperienced user

- Can be applied for relieving an accumulation of liquid, e.g. during a hemothorax

Stage Of Development

Concept stage

Stage Of Development Comment

So far, the research institute has developed a clear concept and design of the needle assembly and is currently looking for partners to jointly develop a prototype and thus develop the assembly further.

Requested partner

The research institute is looking for partners with the ability to develop a prototype for the newly designed needle assembly. Partners with experience in prototype development in the healthcare sector are preferred. 

Research/Technical cooperation agreements: Jointly development of prototypes with a potential for series production.

License agreement: Partners may be granted licenses as it is planned to bring the product into the market.