Description

The Avanos BALLARD Closed Suction Catheter System is a sterile, in‑line suction solution enclosed in a protective sheath for endotracheal or tracheostomy suctioning without disconnecting the ventilator. It is designed to help maintain ventilation and positive end‑expiratory pressure (PEEP) during suctioning and to reduce contamination exposure. Compatible with standard ventilator circuits and both endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes, it is available for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients.

Key features and technologies

• Protective sheathed catheter with numbered depth markings and a compact, soft sleeve to aid controlled insertion and reinsertion.
• In‑line control via thumb valve/control switch for one‑handed operation.
• Connector options: Double Swivel Elbow, Clear T‑Piece, T‑Piece with MDI and/or irrigation port, Directional/Standard connectors, Dual Lumen, and Multi‑Access Port manifold.
• TURBO‑Cleaning technology: catheter tip retracts into a vacuum‑sealed turbulent cleaning chamber; supports in‑line saline flushing on equipped variants.
• PEEP Seal technology (where equipped) to help reduce PEEP loss and drive turbulent cleansing.
• One‑way lavage port with hinged valve to help prevent sprayback and inadvertent lavage (on applicable variants).
• Optional integrated MDI port for in‑line medication delivery.
• Sleeve tether to help prevent over‑retraction of the catheter.
• Multi‑Access Port variant with a compact rotating manifold providing multiple access points; catheter locks into a separate port and stays connected/protected for suctioning, BAL, bronchoscopy, and MDI while keeping the circuit closed.

Configurations and sizing

• Airway interfaces: Endotracheal and Tracheostomy versions.
• Patient sizes: Adult and Neonatal/Pediatric (Neo/Paed adapters sized for common ETT connectors).
• Cleaning/irrigation: Dry systems or WET PAK kits with prefilled saline for in‑line flushing.
• French sizes: approximately 5–16 Fr across the range. Typical guidance: Adult 12–16 Fr; Pediatric 8–10 Fr; Neonatal 5–6 Fr (per clinical protocol).
• Lengths: ~30.5 cm for tracheostomy configurations; ~54 cm for endotracheal configurations. Example variants include 14 Fr × 54 cm and Neo/Paed 10 Fr × 40.5 cm.
• Packaging: commonly boxes of 20 systems; WET PAK variants include saline vials.

Materials, sterility, and use duration

• Sterile, gamma‑sterilized; single‑patient, disposable use.
• Free of natural rubber latex and DEHP.
• Typical validated maximum in‑use time: up to 72 hours (per manufacturer guidance and institutional protocol).
• Commonly specified shelf life: 3 years unopened (per manufacturer specification).

Performance and care settings

• Closed, in‑line design intended to help maintain oxygenation/PEEP and limit cross‑contamination exposure.
• Manufacturer reports TURBO‑Cleaning results in a substantially cleaner catheter tip versus a standard closed suction system (e.g., ~89% cleaner in comparative testing).
• Typical settings: ICUs/critical care, operating theatres, emergency departments, NICUs, emergency transport, and long‑term tracheostomy care.

Selection guidance

Choose French size and length based on patient size, airway type (ETT vs tracheostomy), and tube dimensions; follow local protocols. Endotracheal systems are typically ~54 cm; tracheostomy systems ~30.5 cm.