Evaluation of Medical Chest Drainage System

There is currently no medical thoracic drainage system and suction capability that can function with a thoracic chest tube drainage system in the space operational environment. Terrestrial models of thoracic chest drainage systems are based upon a gravity dependant fluid system that requires an upright position for the device. This project seeks to flight test a modification to an existing medical chest drainage system and demonstrate the functionality in a microgravity environment. This is to show proof of concept. The modification uses a novel combination of devices that are FDA approved for human use. It is hoped that by demonstrating a novel combination that is effective in microgravity the enhanced capabilities of this suction device could be utilized in additional terrestrial applications such as medical transport and battlefield medicine.

This work continues under T0162.

If an astronaut experiences a collapsed lung (pneumothorax), medical suction is required to inflate the lung through a thoracic chest tube. This requires a medical chest drain and suction. Medical suction clears the airway, empties the stomach, decompresses the chest, and keeps operative fields clear. There is currently no medical suction capability that would work in the microgravity environment. Current medical thoracic suction is dependant upon gravity and fluid to operate. End users of the mature technology include hospitals, aeromedical transport, and military medicine.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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