Invention and Pilot Study of the Efficacy and Safety of the SUPRAtube Device in Continuous Supraglottic Aspiration for Intubated and Mechanically Ventilated Patients

BACKGROUND: Bronchoaspiration of content that accumulates in the supraglottic area (eg, saliva, gastroesophageal reflux) is a risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia. A continuous supraglottic suction system may decrease the risk of bronchoaspiration in these patients. OBJECTIVE: (1) Constructing a conceptual model and functional prototype of a continuous supraglottic suction device for use in humans; (2) defining functional characteristics in ex vivo swine head models; and (3) evaluating its efficacy and safety in mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: Study conducted in three phases. First phase: definition of distances and diameters of the triangle determined by dental arch, posterior oropharynx and vallecula, and diameter of the oropharynx in axial projection; and identification of the declining area of supraglottic suction. Second phase: design engineering and functional prototype evaluated in ex vivo models. Third phase: evaluation of device use in terms of safety and efficacy in ventilated patients. RESULTS: We obtained a final functional model of the SUPRAtube device injected into PVC for medical use. Device effectiveness in in vitro simulation showed a high and fast suction capacity of liquid and thick volumes. Study of swine heads allowed to validate the shape, size and functional fenestration of the device. Study in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients showed a high supraglottic suction capacity and the absence of local adverse events during 72 (7–240) hours of continuous operation. CONCLUSION: Our study describes the process of conceptualization, design and production of a practical, safe, low-cost continuous supraglottic suction device without representing antibiotic pressure, which appears to be a new complementary preventive strategy for the standard management of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients.