Description

BALLARD Closed Suction Catheter Systems from Avanos Medical are in-line, closed-circuit suction solutions for mechanically ventilated patients with endotracheal tubes or tracheostomies. They enable airway suctioning without disconnecting the ventilator, helping maintain ventilation, oxygenation, and PEEP while limiting cross-contamination and exposure risks for caregivers.

Key technologies and performance

• Turbo-Cleaning design: the catheter retracts into an isolated turbulent cleaning chamber where suction and saline, together with a patented PEEP Seal, create a cleansing action.
• Reported outcome: approximately 89% cleaner catheter tip versus a standard closed suction system (per manufacturer/cited studies).
• One-way lavage port designed to reduce sprayback.
• Hinged valve isolates the catheter tip to help prevent inadvertent lavage.
• Sleeve tether helps prevent over-retraction.
• Numbered catheter markings support controlled insertion depth.

Infection prevention and patient safety

• Closed-circuit suctioning helps reduce colonization within the ventilator circuit and contamination from external pathogens.
• Helps maintain ventilation and oxygenation during suctioning and avoid lung volume loss associated with ventilator disconnection.
• May help reduce risk of ventilator-associated events/pneumonia (VAE/VAP).
• Aims to protect caregivers from exposure to body fluids.

Variants and configurations

• Turbo-Cleaning Closed Suction System.
• Multi-Access Port Closed Suction System: compact rotating manifold with multiple access ports that lock to help ensure a sealed circuit; catheter docks in a separate port and remains connected and protected. A single-use seal cassette helps maintain PEEP during insertion of sampling catheters or bronchoscopes. Supports bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchoscopy, and in-line MDI drug delivery without opening the circuit.
• Connector styles: Double Swivel Elbow, Standard, T-piece, Directional, Dual Lumen, and neonatal/pediatric Y-adapter configurations.
• Options: Dry or WET PAK (with saline for in-line flush), optional integrated MDI port (MDI Built-In), endotracheal and tracheostomy lengths.

Sizes and typical dimensions

• Adult: commonly 12–16 Fr; typical lengths ~54 cm (endotracheal) and ~30.5 cm (tracheostomy).
• Neonatal/Pediatric: 5–12 Fr; typical lengths ~30.5–40.5 cm; Y adapters sized for small ETT connectors.

Design and components

• Protective sleeve enclosing the suction catheter.
• Thumb valve/control switch for suction application.
• Connectors (e.g., Double Swivel Elbow or T-piece/Y-connector) remain in the ventilator circuit.
• Optional irrigation/saline port and optional integrated MDI port for in-line medication delivery.
• Soft, flexible catheter construction intended for gentle suctioning.

Materials, sterility, and use duration

• Sterile, single-patient use; gamma sterilized.
• Latex-free and DEHP-free.
• Typical maximum in-use time up to 72 hours (per manufacturer protocol).
• Shelf life commonly specified as approximately 3 years.

Compatibility and accessories

• Integrates with standard ventilator circuits.
• Multi-Access Port systems are designed to work with the Avanos Mini-BAL sampling catheter for lower respiratory tract sampling without opening the ventilator circuit.