BELLEFONTE – U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-05) has announced a National Institutes of Health Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to Actuated Medical Inc., a medical device developer and manufacturer in Bellefonte.
The SBIR grant, from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), is to finalize development and commercialize Neo ET-Clear, a medical device to gently remove mucus – maintaining clearance in endotracheal tubes that will help improve the lung function of babies who are born prematurely.
“This new technology is especially important for Neonatal Intensive Care Units, or NICUs, which see a high number of premature patients, and have to suction endotracheal tubes as often as every few hours, to keep them open and keep the tiny patient breathing,” said Maureen L. Mulvihill, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Actuated Medical.
“Intubation can be highly stressful for neonatal, infant, and pediatric patients. The goal of the Neo ET-Clear system is to effectively suction a patient’s endotracheal tube while keeping them at ease, reducing the negative impact of suctioning on blood oxygen, lung function and patient distress.”
During Phase II of the Neo ET-Clear project, Actuated Medical will develop the device, with the goal of regulatory clearance and commercialization. They will work with clinicians at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to test Neo ET-Clear.
“I have long admired the work of Actuated Medical, Inc. for their vision. Their innovations have improved care for wounded military men and women and veterans – and now they have set goals to help the most vulnerable of populations,” said Thompson.
“I wish Actuated Medical Inc. success as they continue developing these life saving devices in caring for babies and children across the nation,” added Thompson.