Description

The Avanos BALLARD Closed Suction Catheter System is a sterile, in‑line suction solution for mechanically ventilated patients via endotracheal tube or tracheostomy. It is designed to preserve a closed ventilator circuit to help maintain ventilation and PEEP during routine airway suctioning while limiting cross‑contamination versus open suction techniques.

Key technologies and design features

• TURBO‑Cleaning: catheter retracts into an isolated, vacuum‑sealed turbulent cleaning chamber for in‑line cleansing of the catheter tip.
• PEEP Seal technology to help reduce PEEP loss and enable effective turbulent cleaning.
• One‑way lavage port with hinged valve to help prevent sprayback and inadvertent lavage.
• Protective sleeve with soft sheath to aid smooth reinsertion; sleeve tether helps prevent over‑retraction.
• Numbered depth markings to support controlled insertion.
• Connector options: Double Swivel Elbow, T‑Piece/standard, Directional/Dual‑lumen (as available), and Multi‑Access Port manifold.
• Optional integrated MDI port for medication delivery without breaking the circuit.

Intended use and benefits

• Enables in‑line suctioning for endotracheal or tracheostomy patients without disconnecting from the ventilator.
• Designed to help maintain PEEP and continuous ventilation/oxygenation and to reduce exposure and contamination compared with open suctioning.

Configurations and options

• Patient groups: Adult, Pediatric, Neonatal.
• Airway interfaces: Endotracheal and Tracheostomy.
• Options: Dry or TURBO‑Cleaning “WET PAK” versions; MDI Built‑In variants.

Multi‑Access Port variant

• Compact rotating manifold with multiple access ports that locks in place to help maintain circuit integrity.
• Catheter parks/locks in a separate port; single‑use seal cassette helps maintain PEEP during insertion of sampling catheters or bronchoscopes.

Sizes and specifications

• Adult French sizes: 12 Fr, 14 Fr, 16 Fr; typical lengths 30.5 cm (commonly tracheostomy) and 54 cm (commonly endotracheal).
• ISO color coding: 12 Fr white; 14 Fr green; 16 Fr orange.
• Neonatal/Pediatric: approximately 5–12 Fr; lengths about 30.5–40.5 cm; supplied with size‑matched Y‑adapters for common neonatal/pediatric connections.

Materials, sterility, and shelf life

• Sterile, single‑patient use; gamma sterilized.
• Does not contain natural rubber latex or DEHP.
• Validated in‑use duration up to 72 hours (per manufacturer).
• Shelf life: 3 years (typical manufacturer specification).

Included items and packaging

• WET PAK/TURBO‑Cleaning configurations include 12 × 15 mL aseptically filled saline vials for in‑line flushing.
• Packaging: typically 20 units per case/box.

Compatibility and accessories

• Integrates with standard ventilator circuits.
• Compatible with Avanos Mini‑BAL sampling catheter via the Multi‑Access Port for lower respiratory tract sampling without opening the circuit.

Performance notes (manufacturer‑reported)

• TURBO‑Cleaning design reported to yield an approximately 89% cleaner catheter tip versus a standard closed suction system and to reduce catheter tip colonization, supporting a closed‑circuit approach intended to help lower the risk of ventilator‑associated events.