Testing a new drainage system for patients with fluid build-up around their lungs

A common treatment for patients with fluid build-up around the lungs is to have an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) inserted. IPCs are flexible tubes that drain the fluid into a bottle.  

Current types of drainage systems rely on bulky vacuum bottles that are fiddly to drain. Healthcare professionals such as district nurses are often responsible for drainage. 

The Passio Pump Drainage System is more portable, less bulky to store and simpler to use. The system is CE marked, meaning it has passed stringent EU safety standards. The collection bags and drainage tubing are packaged in slender, easy to store boxes and are straightforward to assemble with a reusable handheld pump control unit.  

Whilst the catheter itself shares a similar design to standard IPCs, the Passio Pump Drainage System offers electronic control of the rate of drainage. This could enable patients or their carers to better adjust the flow rate, helping keep the patient comfortable.  

Project aims

In this preliminary study, we want to find out whether the Passio Pump Drainage System is safe, effective and well tolerated by patients. We will compare the system with a more traditional IPC system. 

What we hope to achieve

We hope this initial study will inform further research into using the Passio Pump Drainage System.