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Closed suction cleaning devices, systems and methods

  • US 10,004,863 B2
  • Filed: 12/03/2013
  • Issued: 06/26/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An endotracheal tube and airway cleaning system, comprising:

  • an endotracheal tube coupling adapter comprising a ventilator port, a suction port and a distal port, said distal port configured to directly or indirectly couple to an endotracheal tube; and

    a closed suction system module comprising a coupling member, a flexible enclosure and a suction catheter,wherein the coupling member of the closed suction system module is configured to couple to the suction port of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter,wherein the flexible enclosure extends proximally to the coupling member of the closed suction system module and is configured, during use, to prevent exposure of the suction catheter to an outside environment;

    a cleaning portion located at or near a distal end of the suction catheter;

    wherein the cleaning portion comprises at least one cleaning member, said at least one cleaning member configured to be radially expanded; and

    a control unit located along a proximal end of the suction catheter,wherein the control unit is configured to selectively expand and retract the at least one cleaning member and control suction through the suction catheter, andwherein, upon expansion of the at least one cleaning member, at least a portion of the at least one cleaning member is configured to contact an interior surface of an endotracheal tube such that when the suction catheter is withdrawn from the endotracheal tube, biofilm collected on the interior surface is removed by the at least one cleaning member into a cleaning chamber of the closed suction system module,wherein the control unit comprises at least one activation member and at least one stop positioned at a location within the control unit such that the at least one activation member is configured to contact the at least one stop after the at least one activation member has been depressed a certain distance, wherein the at least one stop prevents further depression of the at least one activation member, and wherein the at least one activation member is configured to compress a fluid or gas reservoir in fluid communication with the at least one cleaning member, thereby causing the at least one cleaning member to expand to a volume determined as a result of a position of the at least one stop within the control unit,wherein the at least one activation member is configured to cause simultaneous expansion of the at least one cleaning member and initiation of suction through the suction catheter.

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