Description

The Avanos BALLARD Closed Suction Catheter System is an in-line suction solution for mechanically ventilated patients with endotracheal or tracheostomy airways. It removes airway secretions without disconnecting the ventilator, helping maintain ventilation and PEEP while limiting circuit openings and potential cross-contamination.

Key Features

• Closed-circuit suctioning with a clear protective sleeve to keep ventilation or oxygen therapy ongoing during suctioning.
• Turbo-Cleaning technology: the catheter retracts into a sealed, isolated turbulent cleaning chamber; PEEP Seal technology helps preserve PEEP and drives the cleansing action. A sleeve tether helps prevent over‑retraction.
• One-way lavage port designed to prevent sprayback; a hinged valve isolates the catheter tip and helps prevent inadvertent lavage. Optional integrated MDI port enables medication delivery without breaking the circuit.
• Controls and ergonomics: thumb valve or locking thumb port; numbered catheter and length markings to guide insertion depth.
• Connector options: Double Swivel Elbow, T‑Piece, and Y‑adapter; additional styles include Directional and Dual Lumen. Integrates with standard ventilator circuits.

Multi-Access Port (MAP) Variant

• Compact rotating manifold provides multiple access ports and locks in place to help keep the circuit sealed.
• Enables suctioning and procedures such as bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchoscopy, and MDI delivery without opening the ventilator circuit.
• Catheter locks into a dedicated port and remains connected/protected; a single‑use seal cassette helps maintain PEEP during insertion of sampling devices.
• Compatible accessory: Avanos Mini‑BAL Sampling Catheter via the MAP alternate therapy port.

Configurations and Sizing

• Patient groups: Adult, Pediatric, Neonatal.
• Airway interfaces: Endotracheal and tracheostomy.
• Typical French sizes: Adult 12–16 Fr; Neonatal/Pediatric approximately 5–12 Fr.
• Common lengths: ~30.5 cm (tracheostomy) and ~54 cm (endotracheal); neonatal/pediatric ~30.5–40.5 cm with size‑appropriate adapters.
• Options: Turbo‑Cleaning or standard cleaning ports; Dry or WET PAK (WET PAK includes prefilled saline vials); MDI Built‑In; Multi‑Access Port manifold.

Materials, Sterility, and Use

• Sterile, single‑patient use; gamma sterilized.
• Latex‑free and DEHP‑free.
• Typical in‑use period: up to 72 hours (model and institutional protocol dependent).
• Shelf life commonly specified as 3 years.

Performance and Infection Control

• Manufacturer‑reported data indicate Turbo‑Cleaning yields an approximately 89% cleaner catheter tip and reduced tip bacterial load at up to 72 hours compared with a standard closed suction system.
• Maintaining a closed circuit helps limit caregiver exposure to body fluids and reduces opportunities for contamination; avoiding ventilator disconnection helps preserve lung volumes and PEEP during suctioning.
• Suitable for ICU/critical care, emergency, operating rooms, transport, pediatric wards, and NICU where maintaining a closed circuit and PEEP is desired.