Description

Overview

The Avanos Medical BALLARD Closed Suction System is an in-line suction catheter family for mechanically ventilated patients with endotracheal or tracheostomy airways. It enables suctioning without disconnecting the ventilator to help maintain ventilation/oxygenation and reduce environmental contamination. Adult, pediatric, and neonatal configurations are available.

Key technologies and design

• Turbo-Cleaning: the catheter retracts into a vacuum-sealed turbulent cleaning chamber for in-line cleansing.
• PEEP Seal technology to help reduce positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) loss and drive turbulent cleaning action.
• One-way lavage/irrigation port designed to prevent sprayback; a hinged valve isolates the catheter tip to help prevent inadvertent lavage.
• Optional integrated MDI port for in-line metered-dose inhaler delivery.
• Protective soft sheath, thumb-controlled suction valve, and depth markings for insertion control.
• Multi-Access Port variant: compact rotating manifold with multiple access points, single-use seal cassette to help maintain PEEP during insertion of sampling catheters or bronchoscopes, dedicated port that locks the suction catheter while keeping the circuit connected, and a sleeve tether to help prevent over-retraction.

Materials and use parameters

• Sterile (gamma sterilized); free of natural rubber latex and DEHP.
• Validated maximum in-use time: up to 72 hours (per manufacturer protocols).
• Typical shelf life: about 3 years (where specified by manufacturer).

Configurations

• Connector styles: Double Swivel Elbow, T-piece, Y-adapter (neo/paed), elbow-adapter (neo/paed), and Multi-Access Port.
• Application interfaces: endotracheal and tracheostomy.
• Options: Dry or WET PAK (WET PAK includes 12 sterile saline vials); MDI-integrated variants available.

Sizes and lengths

• Adult: 12 Fr, 14 Fr, 16 Fr; typical lengths 30.5 cm (often tracheostomy) and 54 cm (often endotracheal).
• Neonatal/pediatric examples:
• 5 Fr, 30.5 cm (Y-adapters: 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm)
• 6 Fr, 30.5 cm (Y-adapters: 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm); elbow-adapter option; available without adapters
• 7 Fr, 30.5 cm (Y-adapters: 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm); elbow-adapter option
• 8 Fr, 30.5 cm (Y-adapters: 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm); elbow-adapter option
• 10 Fr, 40.5 cm (Y-adapters: 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm)
• 12 Fr, 40.5 cm (Y-adapters: 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm)

Intended settings and benefits

Designed for ICU, NICU/PICU, high-dependency/long-term care, and emergency/transport environments. The closed design helps maintain ventilation and PEEP, contains secretions to limit cross-contamination risk, and supports caregiver protection.

Performance (manufacturer literature)

Reported 89% cleaner catheter tip versus standard closed suction systems over a 72-hour period, with reduced colonization and potential reduction in ventilator-associated events.

Packaging

Supplied as 20 units per box/case across the family and variants.