Stevens Institute of Technology professor receives $50,000 grant to advance research into thoracic catheter

Vikki Hazelwood, PhD, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry and Biological Sciences at Stevens Institute of Technology, has received a $50,000 Innovation Grant from New Jersey Health Foundation/The Nicholson Foundation to advance research into a catheter that may prevent frequent complications for patients following a variety of surgical procedures, announced James M. Golubieski, president of New Jersey Health Foundation.

"Thoracic catheters facilitate the removal of fluid and/or air after a patient has thoracic surgery. The most commonly used catheter is a single lumen for one-way drainage to keep the lung inflated," explained George F. Heinrich, M.D., vice chair and CEO of New Jersey Health Foundation. "Unfortunately, although commonly used, catheter use is plagued by complications including severe pain and obstruction for the patient."

Dr. Hazelwood and her research team have developed a novel catheter to help overcome the many complications that result from these single lumen catheters. The grant will be used to develop a prototype of the new catheter.

"This new design has the existing features of current thoracic catheters along with multiple fluid delivery lumens, which terminate at different locations and provide anesthetic delivery for pain relief, saline irrigation for occlusion prevention and antibiotics for infection prevention," she explained. "The novel aspects and flexibility of function that this catheter offers will provide physicians with an unparalleled level of patient care. There are currently no existing devices that accomplish these goals."