Comparison between different internal cross-sections for pulmonary secretion suction catheters

• Published in: Research on biomedical engineering 2022-09, Vol.38 (3), p.965-975
• Main Authors: dos Santos Lima, Bruna Luiza Tadeu, Las Casas, Marina Spyer, de Oliveira, Patrícia Muniz, Huebner, Rudolf, Rodrigues-Machado, Maria da Glória, de Las Casas, Estevam Barbosa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedical Engineering/Biotechnology; Engineering; Original Article
• ISSN: 2446-4740; 2446-4740
• DOI: 10.1007/s42600-022-00232-0

Introduction Endotracheal suctioning is a procedure to remove pulmonary secretions, which can lead to complications such as hypoxemia. To minimize this risk, a double-lumen pulmonary secretion suction device was developed at the Biomechanics Laboratory of the University of Minas Gerais. The aim of the study is to evaluate the flow of the removal of pulmonary secretions by reducing the cross-section for the passage of mucus, considering catheters with three new, distinct internal cross-sections (circular, semicircular, and curved). Methods The study was divided into two stages: computer simulations in the software Ansys Fluent using three new internal cross-sections in order to assess the flow rate, secretion removal, and the preparation of solutions of mucus simulators (polyethylene glycol) in three concentrations (semi-liquid, intermediate, and semi-solid) to be aspirated by 12 Fr catheters and by a printed circular catheter in the bench test. Results It was verified in a bench test that the relationship between shear stress and deformation rate of mucus simulator solutions is not linear and that a suction pressure of less than 300 mmHg, performed by a standard catheter, generates moderate rates of removal of thicker solutions. It is possible to verify, by computer simulations, higher flow rate levels when reducing the length of the circular catheter from 0.5 to 0.4 m. Semicircular catheter produces high flow rates when compared to other proposed catheters. Conclusion Based on the results obtained, a dual-lumen semicircular catheter can be designed and validated by computer simulation.