Suction system with high efficiency suction control valve

• US 6,923,184 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2002
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald D. Russo
• Original Assignee: Ronald D. Russo
• Inventors: Russo, Ronald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENDOZA, MICHAEL G
• Application Number:
  US10/058,540
• Time in Patent Office: 1,282 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.26, 128/205.12, 128/207.14, 128/207.16, 604/35, 604/118, 604/171, 604/265, 604/250, 604/163, 604/119, 137/381
• US Class Current: 128/207.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/743 by changing the cross-section of the line, e.g. flow regulating valves A61M1/7413 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets

Abstract

An improved trachea suction system includes a suction catheter with a high efficiency suction control valve providing unobstructed fluid flow in its activated suction applied mode for removal of viscous secretions at a low level of applied input suction through the catheter. The valve also non-restrictive to air flow at the distal tip of the catheter. The valve ideally part of a closed tracheal suction system having a catheter isolator seal with a vortex action catheter cleaning chamber located in front of the isolator seal which takes advantage of the high efficiency characteristics of the suction control valve.

Claims

1. A suction catheter system for suctioning secretions from a patient comprising;

a connector having an inner air passage with frontal and rearward ends and the connector configured for delivery of ventilator air to and from a patient, a catheter isolator seal disposed at the rearward end of the connector inner air passage, a catheter cleaning chamber including a catheter cleaning flush port located in front of the catheter isolator seal, the isolator seal normally biased to a closed position;

a suction catheter assembly associated with both the catheter isolator seal and the catheter cleaning chamber, a catheter assembly having a catheter with a distal tip and a proximal end, said catheter advanceable and retractable through the catheter isolator seal, the catheter isolator seal operable to an open position solely by direct contact and manual advancement of the distal tip of the catheter with the isolator seal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the isolator seal is normally biased to a sealed position to substantially prevent the loss of ventilator air out the seal.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the cleaning chamber includes a catheter wiper.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the catheter isolator seal is a resiliently molded component.

5. The system of claim 1 including a catheter isolation tunnel located behind the catheter isolator seal.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the catheter assembly is fixedly attached to both the catheter isolator seal and the catheter cleaning chamber.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the catheter assembly is disconnectable from the catheter isolator seal and the catheter cleaning chamber.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the catheter cleaning flush port permits the instillation of fluid.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the catheter cleaning port includes a one-way valve.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the catheter isolator seal has a slit opening normally biased to a closed position.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the catheter is enclosed in a collapsible sleeve.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the catheter is connectable to a source of suction.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the catheter is attached to a suction control valve.

14. A suction catheter system for suctioning secretions from a patient comprising;

a connector having front and rear ends and configured for delivery of ventilator air to and from a patient, a catheter isolator wiper seal disposed at the rear end of the connector, a catheter cleaning chamber including a catheter cleaning flush port located in front of the catheter isolator wiper seal, the catheter isolator wiper seal normally biased to a closed position, a suction catheter assembly operably associated with both the catheter isolator wiper seal and the catheter cleaning chamber, said suction catheter assembly having a catheter with a distal tip, said catheter advanceable and retractable through the catheter isolator wiper seal, the catheter isolator wiper seal operable to an open position solely by direct contact and manual advancement of the distal tip of the catheter with the catheter wiper seal.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein a catheter isolation tunnel is positioned behind the catheter isolator wiper seal.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the suction catheter system is a closed tracheal suction system.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the catheter isolator seal and the catheter wiper function as one component.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the catheter isolator seal and the catheter wiper function as separate components.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the catheter wiper is positioned in front of the catheter isolator seal.

20. A suction catheter system for removing secretions from a patient'"'"'s airway comprising;

a catheter assembly including an isolation tunnel and having a catheter with a distal tip and proximal end, the distal tip normally positioned within said isolation tunnel and the proximal end of the catheter connectable to an applied suction source, a catheter isolator wiper seal located in front of the catheter isolation tunnel and a catheter cleaning chamber including a catheter cleaning flush port located in front of the catheter isolator wiper seal, a connector for delivery of ventilator air to and from a patient located in front of the catheter cleaning chamber and catheter cleaning flush port, the catheter distal tip advanceable and retractable into a patient'"'"'s airway through the catheter isolator wiper seal from its normal position within the isolation tunnel, where the catheter is wiped of secretions upon retraction back through the catheter isolator wiper seal and said secretions accumulate in the catheter cleaning chamber located in front of the catheter isolator wiper seal, and wherein said accumulated secretions are removed from the catheter cleaning chamber by the instillation of catheter flush fluid through the port and into the catheter cleaning chamber during the application of suction through the catheter when the catheter tip is positioned within the catheter cleaning chamber.