Clinical Research Directory

Radiographic External Measurement Technique for TIVAP Placement

Totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) are commonly used in patients who need long-term intravenous treatment such as chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, or repeated blood sampling. Correct placement of the catheter tip is important to reduce the risk of complications, including arrhythmia, thrombosis, catheter dysfunction, vessel injury, and infection. Several methods are used to determine catheter tip position during port placement, including fluoroscopy, echocardiography, and chest X-ray. However, some of these methods may require additional equipment, increase procedure time, or may not be available in all hospitals. This study aims to evaluate a simple chest X-ray-based external measurement method to estimate the appropriate catheter length before TIVAP placement. In this method, anatomical landmarks identified on a recent chest X-ray are used to calculate the expected catheter length, which is then applied during the procedure. The main goal of the study is to assess how accurately this method places the catheter tip in the desired anatomical position. Secondary goals include evaluating the rate of optimal tip placement, procedure-related complications, and the relationship between predicted and actual catheter tip positions. If successful, this method may provide a practical, low-cost, and widely applicable technique to improve TIVAP placement in routine clinical practice.

Betadine vs Sterile Water for Periurethral Preparation

The purpose of this study is to determine whether cleaning of the urethra, or external opening to the bladder, with sterile water (water that has been treated to remove bacteria and living organisms) vs Betadine also known as Povidone-Iodine (a medical grade cleaning solution) changes the rates of bacteria in the urine after a temporary catheter, or draining tube, is placed into the bladder. Chemical antiseptics, including Betadine, are the current standard of care. An additional goal of this study is to determine whether cleaning of the urethra, or external opening to the bladder, with sterile water vs betadine changes the amount of discomfort or pain patients experience with placement of a temporary catheter, or draining tube, in the bladder.

Neonatal Umbilical Catheter Pathway Simulator

Currently, training for umbilical catheter placement in neonates is primarily focused on inserting the catheter into the umbilical vein. However, no models to date allow real-time ultrasound assessment of catheter tip navigation and final positioning during the procedure. This study introduces the first training simulator designed specifically to address this need, enabling operators to practice not only the insertion but also the ultrasonographic localization of the catheter tip during the placement process.