Low Profile Airway Stent

Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is a condition where the trachealis muscle is too weak to withstand the pressure difference between the outer and inner walls of the trachea. This causes the airway to narrow or collapse. Patients with TBM may have symptoms including coughing, wheezing, and/or difficulty in breathing. There are current treatments available but each one has their own limitations and complications. Such complications of current commercially available airway stents are migration, breakage, and mucus build-up. The team has developed a unique airway stent that potentially has fewer complications called the Low Profile Airway Stent. It is a thin, metal zig-zag shaped wire that will be anchored parallel to the trachealis muscle to prevent trachea narrowing and collapsing. The Low Profile Airway Stent will not fully cover the cilia in the trachea which reduces mucus build-up. The stent will also be anchored to the walls of the trachea which will prevent migration. The team is still in the process of developing an anchoring method and delivery device for the stent.