Mechanical user control of fluid input module

Abstract

A closed suction cleaning system includes an interface coupled to a main body inlet of a multi-port tube-connector assembly for coupling to an endotracheal tube. A catheter main body includes a distal inflatable element positioned along a distal end portion of the catheter main body. An input module is located at a proximal end of the catheter main body. The input module includes a flow regulator with a mechanical user control element. In a first configuring step, the flow regulator simultaneously regulates suction through the catheter main body and inflation of the distal inflatable element. After a second configuring step, the flow regulator and mechanical user control element may regulate suction through a suction lumen but not cause inflation of the distal inflatable element. A pliable sleeve inhibits contamination of a portion of the catheter main body from an external environment.

1 . A closed suction cleaning system comprising:
 a multi-port tube-connector assembly comprising a ventilator port, a main body inlet, and a ventilation tube port, said ventilation tube port configured to directly or indirectly couple to an endotracheal tube; and   a closed suction cleaning apparatus comprising an interface, a pliable sleeve, and a catheter main body,   wherein the interface is configured to couple to the main body inlet of the multi-port tube-connector assembly, and   wherein the pliable sleeve is configured to surround the catheter main body to inhibit contamination of a portion of the catheter main body from an external environment;   the closed suction cleaning system further comprising:   an input module having a flow regulator;   a distal inflatable element;   a suction lumen extending from the input module to a distal tip of the catheter main body;   a fluid delivery lumen extending along a length of the catheter main body from the input module to the distal inflatable element; and   a plurality of suction orifices positioned along the catheter main body,   wherein the input module comprises a housing, a mechanical user control element, and a fluid source,   wherein the fluid source is in communication with the fluid delivery lumen,   wherein the flow regulator is configured to operate in a first configuration in which activation of the mechanical user control element in a first state effects both suction through the suction lumen and inflation of the distal inflatable element by causing fluid to discharge from the fluid source into the fluid delivery lumen sufficient to inflate the distal inflatable element, and   wherein the flow regulator is configured to operate in a second configuration in which activation of the mechanical user control element in a second state effects suction through the suction lumen and not cause inflation of the distal inflatable element.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 :
 wherein the distal inflatable element is pneumatically expandable,   wherein the distal inflatable element comprises a balloon, and   wherein the multi-port tube-connector assembly comprises a seal valve configured to facilitate cleaning of the distal inflatable element while the closed suction cleaning apparatus is coupled to the multi-port tube-connector assembly such that the cleaning can occur without loss of positive pressure when the multi-port tube-connector assembly is coupled to a ventilator circuit.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the distal inflatable element is inflated by a fluid comprising gas or liquid. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the distal inflatable element comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-port tube-connector assembly comprises a seal valve configured to facilitate cleaning of the distal inflatable element while the closed suction cleaning apparatus is coupled to the multi-port tube-connector assembly such that the cleaning can occur without loss of positive pressure when the multi-port tube-connector assembly is coupled to a ventilator circuit. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of suction orifices comprises a first suction orifice located distal of the distal inflatable element. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of suction orifices comprises a second suction orifice located proximal of the distal inflatable element. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second suction orifices are adapted to allow suction distal and/or proximal to the distal inflatable element. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical user control element comprises a depressible button. 
     
     
         10 . A closed suction cleaning system apparatus comprising:
 an interface configured to couple to a main body inlet of a multi-port tube-connector assembly configured to be coupled to an endotracheal tube;   a catheter main body comprising:
 a distal inflatable element positioned along a distal end portion of the catheter main body; and 
 an input module located at a proximal end of the catheter main body; 
   wherein the input module comprises a flow regulator with a mechanical user control element configured in a first configuring step to simultaneously regulate suction through the catheter main body and inflation of the distal inflatable element, and   wherein, after a second configuring step, the flow regulator and mechanical user control element is configured to regulate suction through a suction lumen but not cause inflation of the distal inflatable element; and   further comprising a pliable sleeve configured to inhibit contamination of a portion of the catheter main body from an external environment.   
     
     
         11 . The closed suction cleaning system apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the distal inflatable element comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         12 . The closed suction cleaning system apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the catheter main body comprises at least a first suction orifice located distal to the distal inflatable element and at least a second suction orifice located proximal to the distal inflatable element, and wherein the first and second suction orifices are adapted to allow suction distal and/or proximal to the expandable cleaning member. 
     
     
         13 . The closed suction system module of  claim 10 , wherein the second configuring step is effected by spatially positioning the mechanical user control element, and wherein the mechanical user control element comprises a depressible button. 
     
     
         14 . A method of cleaning an endotracheal tube using a closed suction cleaning apparatus, the method comprising:
 coupling the closed suction cleaning apparatus to a multi-port tube-connector assembly that is coupled to an endotracheal tube, the closed suction cleaning apparatus comprising an input module having a flow regulator, and a catheter main body,   wherein the catheter main body comprises an inflatable cleaning element positioned at a distal end portion of the catheter main body,   wherein the input module comprises a mechanical user control element configured to regulate suction through the catheter main body and/or cause inflation of the inflatable cleaning element,   configuring the input module such that depression of the mechanical user control element regulates suction through the catheter main body but not inflation of the inflatable cleaning element;   performing a suctioning procedure using the catheter main body by depressing the mechanical user control element following said configuring step;   re-configuring the input module such that depression of the mechanical user control element causes inflation of the inflatable cleaning element; and   performing a cleaning procedure by advancing the inflatable cleaning element of the catheter main body within the endotracheal tube, depressing the mechanical user control element following said re-configuring step so as to inflate the inflatable cleaning element, and withdrawing the catheter main body from the endotracheal tube.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein depression of the mechanical user control element in said re-configuring step simultaneously regulates suction through the catheter main body. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said configuring and re-configuring steps comprise moving the mechanical user control element between different positions. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising delivering irrigation fluid through an irrigation port to the inflatable cleaning element of the catheter main body after performing the cleaning procedure without removing the closed suction cleaning apparatus from the multi-port tube-connector assembly.