Team 13

TASC, Inc.: MedTech Surgical Device for Trapped Lung

Team Members: Avery Cartwright, Shae Diaz, Carlye Frisch, Tanner Henson - SBHSE

Team Mentors: Dr. Olivia Burnsed - SBHSE
Dr. Ian Makey, MD - Mayo Clinic

YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/98352237546

Abstract

Around 100,000 cases of pleural effusion are diagnosed each year. Pleural effusion is caused by pneumonia, heart failure, or pulmonary embolisms. If not treated properly, a pleural effusion can lead to fibrothorax, reducing movement of the lung and rib cage. TASC Inc.’s surgical device is an “all-in-one” system specifically for the decortication procedure to fix a trapped lung. Current techniques use common surgical tools for the procedure such as allis clamps, kittners, sponge sticks, surgical scissors, scalpels, and forceps. While they are commonplace in surgery, these surgical tools do not efficiently and effectively peel back the fibrosis. Current tools cause surgical complications associated with the decortication procedure including poor visibility of the lung, problems with defining the plane of dissection between the peel and visceral pleura, or air leakage from puncturing the lung. The alpha prototype reduces these complications associated with the procedure by using a rotating blade as a tissue removal mechanism and implementing ultrasound to quantify the fibrotic tissue. Additionally, the device is reusable, reduces variability amongst surgeons conducting the decortication, and has the ability to aid in both the open and minimally invasive procedure. The device complies with FDA regulations and seeks to improve patient outcomes by reducing post-surgical complications and hospitalization time. After working with academic and industry mentors, TASC Inc. has effectively prototyped a proof of concept surgical device that is able to probe the thickness and remove the fibrous layer of tissue with specificity down to +/-1mm. TASC Inc. has been able to demonstrate that ultrasound can be used to quantify the tissue and determine the thickness of a material placed over the lung with a low relative difference. Through additional research, TASC Inc. will determine the safety and efficacy of the alpha prototype in removing the fibrous tissue from the lung.

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