
State College, PA.-based Actuated Medical received FDA clearance for part of its TubeClear system, a mechanical motion technology used to unclog feeding and decompression tubes. The FDA cleared a component specific to clearing nasogastric tubes.
Clearing NG tubes prevents disruptions in feeding and medication delivery, allowing for more focus on other aspects of treatment, according to a press release from the company.
"Clogging is a significant problem occurring in approximately 25% of feeding and decompression tubes," president Maureen Mulvihill said in prepared remarks. "Our TubeClear system has proven to be both fast and consistently effective. In fact, our studies show it to be at least 7 times faster than current approaches. It allows caregivers to quickly reinstate feeding and medication regimens without removing and replacing tubes."
"In this new era of healthcare cost containment, it will certainly help organizations save significant time and money," Mulvihill added.
The company is awaiting 510(k) FDA clearance for additional TubeClear control boxes used in nasoenteric, percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy and gastrostomy-hejunostomy tubes, according to the release.