Thompson announces grant for device to aid prematurely born children

U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) announced a grant on Thursday to aid the development of a device to assist children born prematurely.

The National Institutes of Health Phase II Small Business Innovation Research grant was given to Bellefonte, Pennsylvania’s Actuated Medical, Inc., a medical device developer and manufacturer.

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development grant is meant to finalize development and to commercialize Neo ET-Clear, which is a medical device that gently removes mucus while maintaining clearance in endotracheal tubes to improve the lung function of premature babies.

“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,” President and CEO of Actuated Medical Maureen L. Mulvihill said. “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.”

Actuated Medical will develop the device during Phase II of the Neo ET-Clear project with a goal of regulatory clearance and commercialization, working with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia clinicians to test the device.

“I have long admired the work of Actuated Medical, Inc., for their vision,” Thompson said. “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.

“I wish Actuated Medical, Inc., success as they continue developing these life saving devices in caring for babies and children across the nation.”