Suction Catheter Valve with Peristaltic Pump for Lung Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current suction catheter devices lack control over suction flow rates, leading to excessive air extraction from the lungs during secretion removal, which can cause lung collapse and hypoxia, as they are designed for use with unregulated hospital wall suction systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a closed and open suction catheter system with a manual open/close stopcock type valve that allows for Suction During Insertion (SDI), enabling the catheter to extract secretions as it is inserted into the airway, utilizing a peristaltic pump with controlled suction flow to minimize lung air extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standard hospital wall suction or portable suction devices are used, then secretions can be extracted from the patient's airway, but excessive air is extracted from the lungs causing lung collapse and hypoxia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the suction flow rate parameter from uncontrolled (standard wall suction) to controlled (peristaltic pump with flow control). The peristaltic pump delivers a controlled flow rate of 3-6 L/min, which is sufficient to clear secretions but low enough to prevent excessive air extraction from the lungs that causes collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a peristaltic pump as an intermediary device between the vacuum source and the patient's airway. This intermediary controls and regulates the suction flow, acting as a mediator that delivers only the necessary amount of suction (3-6 L/min) to clear secretions without causing harmful collateral air extraction.
2Ease of operation
If a thumb control valve is used to activate suction, then the valve must be held down continuously during suctioning, but this requires two hands making the procedure complex
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed to be self-sterilizing through automated autoclaving. The catheter can be placed in an autoclave with other items, and the high temperature and pressure automatically sterilize it without requiring manual cleaning or special handling procedures. This eliminates the need for complex manual sterilization processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical thumb control valve system with an automated peristaltic pump system. The peristaltic pump uses a motor-driven roller to compress and advance the catheter, replacing the manual thumb pressure mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous manual valve holding and reduces hand coordination requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the catheter is inserted without active suction, then insertion is simple, but secretions accumulate in the airway before cleaning can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary suction action during catheter insertion. The peristaltic pump is activated before and during insertion, creating negative pressure that draws secretions up the catheter as it advances into the airway. This preliminary action prevents secretion accumulation while the catheter is being positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous suction action throughout the entire insertion and withdrawal process. The peristaltic pump operates continuously, providing uninterrupted negative pressure that constantly draws secretions into the catheter. This continuity ensures secretions are cleared throughout the procedure rather than accumulating during pauses.
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
This design allows for efficient secretion removal with reduced collateral air extraction, minimizing the risk of lung collapse and hypoxia, and enables a single person to perform the suction procedure with improved safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a peristaltic pump with controlled suction flow to minimize lung air extraction
Implementation Method 2
Today's Suction Catheter devices are connected to a source of vacuum, such as hospital wall suction or a portable suction pump to extract secretions from a patient's ET tube
Data Source
AI summary
A suction catheter apparatus for extracting secretions from a patient's airway including a suction collection tube, a catheter attached to the suction collection tube, and a control valve disposed between the catheter and the suction collection tube, the control valve set to an open position as the catheter is being inserted into the patient's airway while the suction is active so that the catheter extracts secretions as the catheter travels into the patient's airway to a predetermined depth. The suction catheter apparatus can be an open suction catheter apparatus or a closed suction catheter apparatus. This design feature provides a clear pathway for air flow from the atmosphere to reach a tip of the catheter instead of the air flow being extracted from the lungs of the patient.