Project Description:
Bronchopulmonary fistulas (BPF) are a postoperative complication observed after lung surgery in which there is an abnormal connection developed between the bronchial tubes and the pulmonary space. This condition can lead to severe complications and symptoms such as pneumonia, empyema, shortness of breath, and low blood pressure. As a result, there is a clinical need for a novel biomedical device to seal these abnormal openings with minimal trauma to the bronchial tissue. Current treatments for BPFs include surgery and antibiotics to seal the opening, but these introduce risks such as scarring, fibrosis or exacerbated leakage. These fistulas and other conditions of the bronchi are typically examined using a bronchoscope, an instrument consisting of a tube, camera, light, and working channel allowing visualization of and limited interaction with the bronchial tubes. There are two types: The rigid bronchoscope and the flexible bronchoscope. There is a channel within the bronchoscope allowing for the insertion of various surgical tools such as forceps. In our project, we aim to develop a bronchial suturing device that can be compatible with a rigid bronchoscope, and successfully suture fistulas within the bronchial airway. The suturing mechanism is controlled by a wire interfaced with a trigger and consists of a platform actuating a pantograph-like mechanism that bends the staple into the bronchial membrane. To confirm the efficiency of the stapler, chicken breast tissue will be used to simulate the bronchial epithelium in our device testing as it has similar mechanical properties/young’s modulus. Future directions for this project will concern scaling the device down to size and testing so that it may operate in the narrow channel of a rigid bronchoscope.
