Systems and methods for flushing an assessment catheter
Devices systems and methods are disclosed for removing secretions from the lumen of a functional assessment catheter for the lungs. The system comprises a flushing unit configured to deliver a clearing fluid to the lumen of the pulmonary catheter to remove debris, secretions, or moisture from the lumen or sensors.
1 . A pulmonary diagnostic system, comprising:
a pulmonary catheter configured to be introduced transtracheally into an air passage of a lung segment, wherein the pulmonary catheter comprises a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a lumen disposed therein between the distal and proximal portions; and
an external console coupled to a proximal portion of a flushing element and configured to monitor exhaled air flow through the pulmonary catheter;
wherein the flushing element is coupled to a pressurized gas chamber and the proximal portion of the pulmonary catheter, wherein the flushing element comprises a release valve that is configured to deliver clearing gas to the lumen of the pulmonary catheter from the proximal portion to the distal portion with sufficient force to dry or push mucus from the lumen and into the air passage of the lung segment and away from the external console to prevent impeding of air flow and interfering with a monitoring function of the external console, wherein the release valve is configured to transition to an open instantaneous release state whereby the release valve allows the clearing gas stored in the gas chamber to be instantaneously released to flush the pulmonary catheter.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the release valve is configured to regulate the delivery of the clearing gas from the gas chamber.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the release valve is configured to transition between a plurality of states including at least the open instantaneous release state.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the release valve is configured to transition to a partially open sustained release state of the plurality of states whereby the release valve allows a continuous release of the clearing gas stored in the gas chamber to prevent or minimize mucus buildup over a period of time.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the release valve is configured to have a closed default state.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the pressurized gas chamber comprises a rigid chamber of fixed volume configured to store the clearing gas and act as a flush capacitor.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the pressurized gas chamber further comprises a variable safety release valve configured to allow release of pressure from the pressurized gas chamber.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the clearing gas comprises pressurized air.
9 . A pulmonary diagnostic system, comprising:
a pulmonary catheter configured to be introduced transtracheally into an air passage of a lung segment, wherein the pulmonary catheter comprises a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a lumen disposed therein between the distal and proximal portions;
a flushing element coupled to a pressurized fluid chamber and the proximal portion of the pulmonary catheter, wherein the flushing element comprises a first release valve and a second release valve that are configured to deliver a clearing fluid to a lumen of the pulmonary catheter with sufficient force to move debris or secretions from the lumen and into the air passage of the lung segment via the distal portion of the pulmonary catheter; and
a control unit configured to control the first and second release valves to regulate simultaneous or sequential delivery of clearing fluid from the fluid chamber, wherein the control unit is configured to transform the first release valve to an open instantaneous release state whereby the first release valve allows the clearing fluid stored in the fluid chamber to be instantaneously released to flush the pulmonary catheter, and wherein the control unit is configured to transform the second release valve to a partially open sustained release state whereby the second release valve allows a continuous release of the clearing fluid stored in the fluid chamber to prevent or minimize buildup over a period of time.
10 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising at least one measuring component coupled to the pulmonary catheter configured to monitor exhaled air flow.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the flushing element clears debris or secretions away from the measuring component to prevent impeding of air flow and interfering with a monitoring function of the measuring component.
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the pressurized fluid chamber comprises a rigid chamber of fixed volume configured to store the clearing fluid and act as a flush capacitor.
13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first release valve and the second release valve is configured to transition between a plurality of states including at least the open instantaneous release state.
14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first release valve and the second release valve is configured to have a closed default state.
15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the fluid chamber further comprises a variable safety release valve configured to allow release of pressure from the fluid chamber.
16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the clearing fluid comprises pressurized air.