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CompletedNCT04848727DePIcTUpdated Apr 22, 2026

Detection of Atelectasis or Pneumothorax and Resolution With Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) in Newborn Infants

An observational study in Atelectasis Neonatal and Pneumothorax and Air Leak, sponsored by Sharp HealthCare. Completed at 1 site in United States. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-22.

Sponsored by Sharp HealthCare · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
20
Sex
All
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Study summary

To validate the benefits of recognizing asymmetric lung disease like atelectasis and pneumothorax in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome using electrical impedance tomography

Read the detailed description

To quantify the changes in regional lung air content associated with the variations of the respiratory support settings, the following approach will be used. The changes in local air content will be determined in the selected EIT region of interest (ROI) in terms of a change in local average lung density and relative impedance change with respect to a reference air content.

  • TimePeriod 1 (t1): The reference lung air content will be measured once the asymmetric lung disease is identified on chest x-ray.
  • TimePeriod 2 (t2): A post-lung disease EIT measurement will be obtained at 6-24 hours later or immediately after clinical therapy (i.e. chest tube placement or needle decompression), whichever occurs first.

Eligible infants with confirmed asymmetric lung disease (atelectasis or pneumothorax) by radiographic images requiring no respiratory support or on mechanical support or nCPAP therapy of 5-8 cm H20 achieved with a ventilator, an underwater "bubble" system, or a variable-flow device will be enrolled. All of these methods of providing the therapy are done with FDA approved devices currently used in the NICU.

EIT data will be acquired using The LuMon Monitor-Neo, GUI software 1.0.x.x/TIC software 1.6.x.xxx (SenTec, Landquart, Switzerland). The EIT system will be placed at the subject's bedside to collect EIT measurements: Ventilation distribution%, changes in regional aeration in arbitrary units (AU), dependent and non-dependent silent spaces.

A data acquisition cart will also be placed at the subject's bedside to collect hemodynamic and respiratory parameters measurements including: Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcCO2), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) via bedside monitoring devices.

The LuMon belts for neonates are disposable single-patient use belts that are adhesive-free and consists of 32 electrodes which are sized to the infant's chest circumference, generally at the 4th - 6th rib. Warmed NeoContactAgent (ingredients: Aqua, Glycerol, Sodium chloride) will be applied to the belt before placing on the infant. The embedded position sensor permits the LuMon System to measure and display the patient's position. The soft and expandable closure band prevents the chest from being constrained by the belt and, consequently, prevents restrictions to breathing and increased work of breathing.

EIT measurements and data will be collected on each timeperiods (t1 and t2) for approximately 15-30 minutes on invasive or non-invasive ventilatory support.

The EIT measurements may be repeated on an eligible participant if a reoccurrence of a confirmed asymmetric lung disease, atelectasis or pneumothorax, is identified on a radiographic image.

EIT is currently not used for patient care management at SMBHWN. EIT's use for patient care management is purely experimental. EIT, when used solely for physiologic data collection, its use is not subject to 21 CFR 50, 21 CFR 56, or 21 CFR 812. Data collection via EIT will occur when the subject is in a quiet, sleeping state, and can be accomplished in a convenient time period when care givers or parents are not interacting with the subject.

Primary analyses compare EIT-derived ventilation distribution metrics between t1 and t2, including % unventilated lung and indices of ventilation inhomogeneity (e.g., GI). Analyses will also be reported overall and, where sample size permits, stratified by radiographic diagnosis (atelectasis vs pneumothorax).

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Conditions studied

  • Atelectasis Neonatal
  • Pneumothorax and Air Leak

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Keywords

  • Electrical Impedance Tomography
03

In context

Pneumothorax

178 studies on the registry are indexed under Pneumothorax; 42 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 20 is below the median of 121 across 58 observational studies indexed under Pneumothorax.

Browse Pneumothorax studies →

Lead sponsor

Sharp HealthCare is the lead sponsor of 40 studies on the registry; 4 are open to participants now.

Of its 5 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 3 (60%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
Child (0–17), Adult (18–64), Older adult (65+)
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

All infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women \& Newborns with confirmed asymmetric lung disease (atelectasis or pneumothorax) by radiographic images requiring no respiratory support or on mechanical support or nCPAP therapy of 5-8 cm H20 achieved with a ventilator, an underwater "bubble" system, or a variable-flow device will be enrolled

Inclusion criteria

  1. All infants admitted to the NICU at SMBHWN
  2. Informed consent obtained
  3. Atelectasis confirmed on CXR
  4. Pneumothorax confirmed on CXR

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Declined consent
  2. Infants with known congenital anomalies
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Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
20 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • Atelectasis or Pneumothorax

    Infants with asymmetric lung disease (i.e. atelectasis or pneumothorax) confirmed by chest radiograph

    Other: Detecting asymmetric lung disease like atelectasis or pneumothorax with electrical impedance tomography (EIT)

Interventions

  • OtherDetecting asymmetric lung disease like atelectasis or pneumothorax with electrical impedance tomography (EIT)

    The EIT system will be placed at the subject's bedside to collect EIT measurements: Ventilation distribution%, changes in regional aeration in arbitrary units (AU), dependent and non-dependent silent spaces. A data acquisition cart will also be placed at the subject's bedside to collect hemodynamic and respiratory parameters measurements including: Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcCO2), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) via bedside monitoring devices. The LuMon belts for neonates are disposable single-patient use belts that are adhesive-free. EIT measurements and data will be collected on each timeperiods (t1 and t2) for approximately 15-30 minutes on invasive or non-invasive ventilatory support.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Atelectasis: Change in measured % Unventilated Lung between TimePeriods (t1 and t2)

    Atelectasis will be calculated using the percentage of the lung fields that are not engaged in tidal volume.(VT)

    Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention/procedure/surgery and Immediately after the intervention/procedure/surgery

  2. Pneumothorax: Change in measured % Unventilated Lung between TimePeriods (t1 and t2)

    To determine pneumothorax is the percentage of lung areas with non-negligible impedance change during breathing.

    Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention/procedure/surgery and Immediately after the intervention/procedure/surgery

Secondary outcomes

  1. Geometric Center of Ventilation (CoV)

    In the human lung the ideal non-dependent to dependent CoV is 63%. Thus a value of 55% would indicate greater ventilation in the non-dependent lung.

    Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention/procedure/surgery and Immediately after the intervention/procedure/surgery

  2. Change in % of total tidal volume (VT) within 8 lung regions

    % of total tidal volume will be determined from the trough and peak-to-peak height of the time-volume EIT within the 8 regions of interest

    Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention/procedure/surgery and Immediately after the intervention/procedure/surgery

  3. Relative change in uncalibrated aeration (end-expiratory lung volume)

    End-expiratory lung volume will be analyzed using four ventral to dorsal regions of interest (ROI) by EIT

    Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention/procedure/surgery and Immediately after the intervention/procedure/surgery

  4. Regional distribution of tidal volume

    Regional distribution of tidal volume will be analyzed using four ventral to dorsal regions of interest (ROI) by EIT

    Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention/procedure/surgery and Immediately after the intervention/procedure/surgery

  5. Change in Global Inhomogeneity (GI) index between t1 and t2

    GI index computed from EIT data; reported as ΔGI = GI(t2) - GI(t1), with negative values indicating improved homogeneity.

    Time frame: TimePeriod 1 (t1): at time of radiographic diagnosis of atelectasis/pneumothorax; TimePeriod 2 (t2): 6-24 hours after t1 or immediately after clinical therapy (e.g., chest tube placement/needle decompression), whichever occurs first.

Other outcomes

  1. Compare respiratory rate

    Compare the respiratory rate shown on the LuMon monitor and the one shown on other devices

    Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention/procedure/surgery and Immediately after the intervention/procedure/surgery

  2. Compare total impedance from the ventilator and the LuMon device

    Compare total impedance from the ventilator and the LuMon device

    Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention/procedure/surgery and Immediately after the intervention/procedure/surgery

  3. Compare total volumes from the ventilator and the LuMon Device

    Compare total volumes from the ventilator and the LuMon Device

    Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention/procedure/surgery and Immediately after the intervention/procedure/surgery

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Study locations

1 site
  • Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns
    San Diego, California 92123, United States
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Costa EL, Borges JB, Melo A, Suarez-Sipmann F, Toufen C Jr, Bohm SH, Amato MB. Bedside estimation of recruitable alveolar collapse and hyperdistension by electrical impedance tomography. Intensive Care Med. 2009 Jun;35(6):1132-7. doi: 10.1007/s00134-009-1447-y. Epub 2009 Mar 3. PubMed 19255741 ↗
  • Miedema M, McCall KE, Perkins EJ, Sourial M, Bohm SH, Waldmann A, van Kaam AH, Tingay DG. First Real-Time Visualization of a Spontaneous Pneumothorax Developing in a Preterm Lamb Using Electrical Impedance Tomography. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016 Jul 1;194(1):116-8. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201602-0292LE. No abstract available. PubMed 27367888 ↗
  • Rahtu M, Frerichs I, Waldmann AD, Strodthoff C, Becher T, Bayford R, Kallio M. Early Recognition of Pneumothorax in Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Electrical Impedance Tomography. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019 Oct 15;200(8):1060-1061. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201810-1999IM. No abstract available. PubMed 31091957 ↗
  • Kallio M, Rahtu M, van Kaam AH, Bayford R, Rimensberger PC, Frerichs I. Electrical impedance tomography reveals pathophysiology of neonatal pneumothorax during NAVA. Clin Case Rep. 2020 May 24;8(8):1574-1578. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.2944. eCollection 2020 Aug. PubMed 32884798 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Apr 22, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04848727
Lead sponsor
Sharp HealthCare
Responsible party
Anup Katheria, M.D. (Director Neonatal Research Institute, Sharp HealthCare) — Principal investigator
First posted
Apr 19, 2021
Start date
Aug 6, 2021
Primary completion
Jun 7, 2022
Completion
Jun 7, 2022
Last update
Apr 22, 2026

Study contacts

Anup C Katheria, MD
principal investigator · Sharp HealthCare

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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