Closed Suction Catheter with Flow Regulator for Biofilm Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suction catheters used in tracheobronchial secretions aspiration and tracheal ventilation tube cleaning often carry bacterial biofilm, increasing the risk of lung infection and reducing air passage due to biofilm buildup in endotracheal tube lumens, necessitating cleaner lumen maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A multi-lumen catheter with an inflatable element and a flow regulator that allows for single-handed simultaneous inflation and suctioning, enabling closed suction systems for repeated use without detachment from the ventilation tube system, with user-controlled fluid conduction under positive and negative pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If suction catheters are inserted to aspirate tracheobronchial fluids, then secretion removal is achieved, but bacterial biofilm is carried deeper into the bronchial tree increasing infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is pre-lubricated with antibiotic-coated gel before insertion, creating a protective barrier that prevents biofilm adherence to the catheter surface and subsequent transmission to the bronchial tree during the suctioning procedure
Solution Approach 2:
An antibiotic-coated lubricating gel serves as an intermediary substance between the catheter and the bronchial environment, blocking the direct contact and transfer of bacterial biofilm from the catheter to the patient's respiratory tract
2Reliability
If suction operations are performed frequently to maintain clean ETT lumens, then biofilm buildup is reduced, but patient exposure to potential infections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs a disposable design with antibiotic coating that ensures each new catheter is sterile and free from biofilm contamination, eliminating the need for repeated sterilization cycles that would expose patients to potential infections while maintaining ETT lumen cleanliness
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates antibiotic-coated lubricating gel that chemically modifies the catheter surface properties, creating an antimicrobial barrier that maintains effectiveness throughout the procedure without requiring repeated interventions
3Ease of operation
If mechanical user control elements are designed for single-handed operation, then ease of use is improved, but control precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical control element is segmented into distinct functional zones with tactile feedback features, allowing the user to feel and control the transition between inflation and suction modes through discrete positional stops that maintain precision despite single-handed operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces biofilm transfer and maintains cleaner tracheal ventilation tube lumens, preventing infections and ensuring effective air passage by allowing for controlled and repeated cleaning of tracheal tubes.
Implementation Method 1
a flow regulator, which (a) is shaped so as to define a suction port coupleable in fluid communication with the suction source, and (b) is configured to assume at least first and second fluid-control states
Implementation Method 2
configured (a) to mechanically and non-electrically set the fluid-control states of the flow regulator, (b) to assume at least first and second configurations, and (c) to mechanically and non-electrically increase pressure in an interior of the inflation chamber during at least a portion of a transition of the mechanical user control element from the first configuration to the second configuration
Implementation Method 3
suction source
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning catheter insertable into a tracheal ventilation tube and an input module are provided for use with a suction source, the input module coupled to the cleaning catheter and including (i) an inflation module, including an inflation chamber separate from the suction source; (ii) a flow regulator, configured to assume first and second fluid-control states; and (iii) a mechanical user control element, which is configured (a) to mechanically and non-electrically set the fluid-control states, (b) to assume first and second configurations, and (c) to mechanically and non-electrically increase pressure in an interior of an inflation chamber during a transition of the mechanical user control element from the first configuration to the second configuration. The flow regulator, when in the first fluid-control state connects the suction source and an interior of an inflatable element of the cleaning catheter in fluid communication to deflate the inflatable element.