Devices and methods for airway suctioning

Abstract

Described here are devices, systems, and methods for positioning a suction catheter in the airway of a patient. The systems may comprise a suction catheter, a delivery device, and/or a stylet. The delivery device may comprise an elongate shaft, an atraumatic distal end, an elongate passageway, and a retention element configured to releasably couple to an endotracheal tube. The suction catheter may be positioned in the elongate passageway, and the delivery device may help advance the suction catheter into the airway of a patient. In some variations, the delivery device may comprise elements configured to release the suction catheter in the airway after positioning.

1 . A device for providing suction to an airway of a patient comprising:
 a delivery device, comprising:
 an elongate shaft comprising a central shaft region and an atraumatic distal end, wherein the atraumatic distal end is configured to be advanced into an airway of a patient and positioned proximally to the vocal cords; 
 an elongate passageway configured to receive a suction catheter; and 
 a retention element extending from the elongate shaft, wherein the retention element is configured to partially encircle and releasably couple directly to an endotracheal tube and slide along a length of the endotracheal tube. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate shaft comprises a lock configured to releasably resist movement of the suction catheter relative to the delivery device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate shaft comprises a handle. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the lock is located in the handle. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the handle is a proximal handle located at a proximal end of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the atraumatic distal end is a bulbous end with a maximal transverse cross-sectional area larger than the minimal transverse cross-sectional area of the central shaft region. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the lock and the retention element are located on opposing sides of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the elongate shaft comprises a curved shape when in an unstrained state. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the curved shape comprises an outer curvature and an inner curvature, and wherein the retention element is located along the outer curvature. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the retention element is a first retention element, and the delivery device further comprises a second retention element spaced away from the first retention element a longitudinal distance along the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a suction catheter configured to removably reside in the elongate passageway. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the suction catheter comprises an atraumatic distal tip. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a stylet configured to reside within the elongate passageway. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the stylet is further configured to reside within the suction catheter when the suction catheter is located within the elongate passageway. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate shaft comprises a grooved piece and a lid piece, and wherein the grooved piece comprises a side opening, and the lid piece is configured to removably cover the side opening together form the elongate passageway. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the grooved piece, the retention element and at least a portion of the atraumatic distal end are integrally formed. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the atraumatic distal end comprises a low durometer material having a hardness in the range of Shore 20A to 80A. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the elongate shaft has a radius of curvature of 7-9 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate shaft is configured to deflect from a radius of curvature of 7-9 inches to a radius of curvature of 1.5-2.5 inches with a force in the range of 0.25-1 lbf when applied transversely to the shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate shaft is non-malleable. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retention element is positioned 2 cm or less from a distal most portion of the delivery device. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a proximal alignment region to indicate a maximum insertion distance. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the proximal alignment region is 10-11 cm from a distal most portion of the delivery device. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the elongate shaft further comprises a handle, and wherein the proximal alignment region is a portion of the handle. 
     
     
         25 . The device of claim  2122 , further comprising an alignment clip, wherein the proximal alignment region is a portion of the alignment clip. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a proximal alignment region with a size and shape configured to resist entry into a patient's oral cavity.