Who We Are
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide medical professionals with a method of easy biofilm removal from intubation tubes to assist in reducing or eliminating infections that occur in patients intubated for greater than 48 hours. TrachTech is creating a device to safely remove built up biofilms from intubation tubes without extubating the patient.
Why Biofilm Buildup is a Problem
Biofilm build up within an intubation tube will increase the resistance that the patient will feel when attempting to breathe without a ventilator.
80% of all human infection is biofilm related, and these bacteria are often extremely antibiotic resistant. Biofilm contributes to Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP). VAP is a lung infection that develops at least 48 hours after mechanical ventilation is started.
VAP occurs in 12-25% of intubated patients. Of those intubated patients, VAP will be fatal for 24-71% of them.
Our Response to COVID-19
COVID-19 has created an exponential need for ventilator use. In the past few months of 2020, the production growth of ventilators has almost doubled. It is common for a tracheotomy to occur after a few days of a patient being intubated. Now with the highly infectious nature of COVID-19, tracheotomies are being postponed for as long as possible to limit exposure. With ETTs being left in patients, there is a greater biofilm buildup that will occur which increase the chance of developing other infections. The time for a viral clearance is also increased in patients that are intubated and are typically testing positive longer.
Our goal is to remove the biofilm buildup to allow for patients to be intubated for longer periods of time and avoid tracheotomies with less infection risk.
Alex Verne
Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Bioengineering at the University of Washington in Seattle. Alex has taken on the role of leading our business model and market development.
Morgan Bohrer
In May 2020, she received her Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University. Morgan has decided to work on her connections and enter the workforce in medical device sales.
Michael L’Ecuyer
A current Tulane University Master’s student in Biomedical Engineering. Michael has focused on the testing and validation of our technology.
Stephen Hahn
Pursuing a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University. Stephen has great technical skills and leads the research and development of our technology.