The PleuraFlow® Active Tube Clearance® System contains a guide wire with a distal loop that rests at the end of the tube. The system uses the loop to morcellate and scoop back clot towards the drainage canister. The system is driven by a proprietary magnetic drive to maintain a sterile environment within the tube.
The PleuraFlow® Chest tube (A) is a full length chest tube. It is inserted and secured in the usual fashion. It is connected to a guide tube (C) which has a shuttle guide set over the guide tube (B).
The Guide tube (C) is connected to a standard chest drainage system.
Within the guide tube there is a magnet set on the out side of the tube (A). Inside the guide tube there is a guide wire set on an internal magnet (B). The guide wire has a loop on its tip that can be used to clean the inside of the tube. When the shuttle guide is moved along the guide tube, the external magnet moves the guide wire in and out of the chest tube, allowing the chest tube the be cleaned without breaking the sterile field.
A critical feature is a loop set on a guide wire that is set inside the ches tube. The loop is advanced and retracted with the proprietary magnetic drive system.