Airway suction catheter

An airway suction catheter is a flexible tube used to remove secretions, fluids, or debris from a patient’s airway, including the pharynx, trachea, or nasal passages. Clinically, these devices are essential for maintaining clear airways in patients who cannot effectively cough up mucus, such as those on ventilators or with tracheostomies, reducing the risk of obstruction or infection.

These devices are typically single-use, disposable, and designed for temporary insertion during suctioning procedures. Regulation varies by jurisdiction, but they are generally classified based on their design and intended use, with compliance requirements covering material safety, sterility, and performance standards for effective suctioning.