Self Positioning Tracheal Tube Clearance Mechanism Using Whisks
A device for cleaning the interior wall of a catheter has a cleaning lumen and a non-inflatable removal element comprising whisks. The whisks are configured around of the cleaning lumen and each whisk has a first position when unconstrained and a second position when within the catheter. The removal element self-positions the device concentrically within the catheter. Suction is desirably applied to the cleaning lumen during use.
1 . A device for cleaning the interior wall of a catheter having deposits comprising a cleaning lumen and a removal element having whisks capable of changing from a first position to a second position.
2 . The device of claim 1 wherein said whisks each have a portion that has a bias to deflect away from the cleaning lumen
3 . The device of 1 wherein said cleaning lumen has a distal port and lateral ports, the whisks are spaced apart individually or in clusters around the cleaning lumen, each whisk has a distal end that is fixed to the cleaning lumen at a distal collar and has a proximal end not fixed to the cleaning lumen at a proximal collar, and wherein suction applied to a proximal end of said cleaning lumen pulls said deposits through said lateral and distal ports.
4 . The device of claim 3 wherein a whisk portion near the distal collar is stiffer than a whisk portion near the proximal collar.
5 . The device of claim 1 having a film covering the distal half of the whisks to assist in catching any deposits that may escape the distal and lateral ports.
6 . The device of claim 1 wherein suction is applied to said cleaning lumen as said device is inserted and removed from said catheter.
7 . The device of claim 2 wherein said whisks are in a second position and center the device within the catheter with respect to the interior wall.