ATRAUMATIC SUCTION CATHETER
An atraumatic suction catheter having a tubular body with a lumen formed therethrough. At a distal end, the catheter has three equally spaced elongated openings positioned near its distal tip. The catheter may have a fourth round opening positioned proximally to the three openings. The catheter has improved suctioning ability of viscous secretions, and reduced impact compared to other suction catheter embodiments.
1 . A suction catheter, comprising:
a tube-shaped body having a lumen formed therethrough, a beveled distal tip having an opening therein in communication with the lumen, a proximal end having an opening in communication with the lumen and adapted to be coupled to a suction source;
wherein the distal tip has three equally-spaced apertures positioned near the distal tip, each of the three apertures having a perimeter defining a pair of parallel elongated sides and opposing U-shaped ends,
wherein when the distal tip of the suction catheter is moved at a speed of about 0.4 inches/second, it has an impact force of less than about 0.6 lbf.
2 . The suction catheter of claim 2 , wherein when the distal tip of the suction catheter is moved at a speed of about 0.8 inches/second, it has an impact force of less than 0.7 lbf.
3 . The suction catheter of claim 3 , wherein when the distal tip of the suction catheter is moved at a speed of about 1.2 inches/second, it has an impact force of about 0.6 lbf.
4 . The suction catheter of claim 4 , wherein when the distal tip of the suction catheter is moved at a speed of about 1.55 inches/second, it has an impact force of about 0.6 lbf.
5 . A suction catheter, comprising:
a tube-shaped body having a lumen formed therethrough, a beveled distal tip having an opening therein in communication with the lumen, a proximal end having an opening in communication with the lumen and adapted to be coupled to a suction source;
wherein the distal tip has three equally-spaced apertures positioned near the distal tip, each of the three apertures having a perimeter defining a pair of parallel elongated sides and opposing U-shaped ends, wherein when the distal tip of the suction catheter is moved at a speed of about 0.4 inches/second, it has an impact ratio less than 1.
6 . The suction catheter of claim 5 , wherein when the distal tip of the suction catheter is moved at a speed of about 0.8 inches/second, it has an impact ratio less than 1.
7 . The suction catheter of claim 6 , wherein when the distal tip of the suction catheter is moved at a speed of about 1.2 inches/second, it has an impact ratio less than about 1.25.
8 . The suction catheter of claim 7 , wherein when the distal tip of the suction catheter is moved at a speed of about 1.55 inches/second, it has an impact ratio less than about 1.
9 . A suction catheter, comprising:
a tube-shaped body having a lumen formed therethrough, a beveled distal tip having an opening therein in communication with the lumen, a proximal end having an opening in communication with the lumen and adapted to be coupled to a suction source;
three equally-spaced apertures positioned near the distal tip, each of the three apertures having a perimeter defining a pair of parallel elongated sides and opposing U-shaped ends; and
one round aperture spaced a distance proximally from the three apertures,
10 . The suction catheter of claim 9 , wherein the catheter has improved suctioning of viscous secretions at a vacuum of both 120 mm HG and 300 mm Hg, and wherein the viscous secretions comprise a mixture of 0.5 percent polyethylene oxide in water.
11 . The suction catheter of claim 9 , wherein the catheter has improved suctioning of viscous secretions at a vacuum of both 120 mm HG and 300 mm Hg, wherein the viscous secretions comprise a mixture of 1.5 percent polyethylene oxide in water.
12 . The suction catheter of claim 9 , wherein the catheter has improved suctioning of viscous secretions at a vacuum of both 120 mm HG and 300 mm Hg, wherein the viscous secretions comprise a mixture of 3 percent polyethylene oxide in water.