Anaheim, California Patent of the Year – 2024/2025
ClearFlow Inc. has been awarded the 2024/2025 Patent of the Year for its breakthrough in medical tube clearance technology. Their invention, detailed in U.S. Patent No. 11884505, titled ‘Devices and methods related to medical tubes’, introduces a handheld, motorized spool system designed to actively clear obstructions from surgical drainage tubes.
This innovation addresses a critical issue in post-operative care: the blockage of chest tubes due to blood clots and debris. Such blockages can lead to complications, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. ClearFlow’s device employs a motorized spool within a compact housing to advance and retract a guide wire through the drainage tube. A specialized track ensures the guide wire winds and unwinds smoothly, maintaining consistent tension and preventing kinks.
The system’s design allows for easy, sterile operation by medical staff, reducing the need for manual manipulation of tubes. By automating the clearance process, the device minimizes the risk of tube occlusion, thereby enhancing patient safety and recovery outcomes.
ClearFlow’s technology exemplifies how thoughtful engineering can lead to significant improvements in patient care. By focusing on a common yet serious problem in surgical recovery, this invention has the potential to become a standard tool in operating rooms and intensive care units worldwide.