Description

The Avanos BALLARD Closed Suction Catheter System is an in‑line closed suction solution for mechanically ventilated patients (endotracheal or tracheostomy). It enables airway suctioning without breaking the ventilator circuit to help preserve ventilation, oxygenation, and PEEP while limiting cross‑contamination and caregiver exposure.

Key technologies and design features

• Turbo‑Cleaning: catheter retracts into an isolated, vacuum‑sealed turbulent cleaning chamber to cleanse the catheter tip between passes.
• PEEP Seal technology to help reduce PEEP loss and support a sealed circuit during suctioning and cleaning.
• One‑way lavage port designed to help prevent sprayback; hinged valve isolates the catheter tip and helps prevent inadvertent lavage.
• Optional integrated MDI port for medication delivery without circuit disconnection.
• Numbered catheter markings assist with depth guidance; sleeve tether helps prevent over‑retraction.
• Connector options include Double Swivel Elbow for flexibility with fewer connectors; additional interfaces available.

Multi‑Access Port (MAP) variant

• Compact rotating manifold with multiple access ports; locks with an audible click to help keep the circuit sealed.
• Allows suctioning and procedures (e.g., bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchoscopy, MDI drug delivery) without opening the ventilator circuit.
• Catheter docks in a separate protected port; single‑use seal cassette helps maintain PEEP during insertion of sampling catheters or bronchoscopes.

Performance highlights (manufacturer‑cited)

• Turbo‑Cleaning yields an approximately 89% cleaner catheter tip versus a standard closed suction system.
• Maintaining a closed circuit during suctioning helps avoid about half of the lung volume fall observed when suctioning after ventilator disconnection (per cited source).
• Closed design aims to support VAP/VAE prevention and reduce caregiver exposure.

Configurations and options

• Patient groups: Adult; Neonatal/Pediatric.
• Airway interfaces: Endotracheal and Tracheostomy.
• Connector styles: Double Swivel Elbow, T‑Piece, Directional, Dual Lumen, and MAP.
• Options: Dry or WET PAK (aseptically filled saline vials); select configurations with built‑in MDI port.
• Adult sizes: commonly 12, 14, 16 Fr; typical lengths ~30.5 cm (tracheostomy) and ~54 cm (endotracheal).
• Neonatal/Pediatric sizes: commonly 5–12 Fr; typical lengths ~30.5–40.5 cm; Neo/Paed versions include size‑appropriate Y adapters (~2.0–4.5 mm).

Materials, sterility, and use

• Sterile, single‑patient use; gamma sterilized; latex‑free and DEHP‑free.
• Validated maximum in‑use time: up to 72 hours; shelf life: 3 years.

Compatibility

• Integrates with standard ventilator circuits.
• Compatible with the Avanos Mini‑BAL bronchial aspirate sampling catheter when used with the MAP system.

Intended clinical benefits

• Maintain a closed ventilator circuit during suctioning to help preserve ventilation/oxygenation, reduce PEEP loss, limit catheter‑tip colonization and circuit contamination, and support caregiver protection from body‑fluid exposure.