Suction Simulation System

Abstract

A suction simulation device includes a suction catheter and a suction unit in fluid communication with the suction catheter. The suction unit includes a reservoir for holding fluid and the suction unit is configured to provide vacuum capability to the suction catheter. The suction simulation device also includes a pump in fluid communication with the suction unit, the pump configured to flow the fluid from the reservoir. The suction simulation device is adapted for use with a manikin comprising an airway. Also disclosed is a suction simulation system and a method of simulating a scenario requiring mechanical ventilation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suction simulation device for use with a manikin having an airway comprising:
 a suction catheter;   a suction unit in fluid communication with the suction catheter, the suction unit comprising a reservoir for holding fluid and the suction unit configured to provide suction to the suction catheter; and   a pump in fluid communication with the suction unit, the pump configured to flow the fluid from the reservoir,   wherein the suction simulation device is adapted for use with the manikin's airway.   
     
     
         2 . The suction simulation suction simulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the suction unit further comprises a secondary reservoir in fluid communication with the reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The suction simulation device of  claim 1 , further comprising an endotracheal tube comprising a proximal end and a distal end, and further comprising a distal end pressure transducer positioned at the distal end of the endotracheal tube to read a pressure at the distal end of the endotracheal tube and a proximal end pressure transducer positioned at the proximal end of the endotracheal tube to read a pressure at the proximal end of the endotracheal tube, the endotracheal tube in fluid communication with the suction catheter when the suction catheter is used to remove a fluid from the manikin's airway. 
     
     
         4 . The suction simulation device of  claim 1 , further comprising an endotracheal tube comprising a proximal end and a distal end, and further comprising a distal end pressure transducer positioned at the proximal end of the endotracheal tube to read a pressure at the distal end of the endotracheal tube and a proximal end pressure transducer positioned at the proximal end of the endotracheal tube to read a pressure at the proximal end of the endotracheal tube, the endotracheal tube in fluid communication with the suction catheter when the suction catheter is used to remove a fluid from the manikin's airway. 
     
     
         5 . The suction simulation device of  claim 4 , wherein the endotracheal tube further comprises a lumen in fluid communication with the distal end pressure transducer, the endotracheal tube in fluid communication with the suction catheter when the suction catheter is used to remove a fluid from the manikin's airway. 
     
     
         6 . The suction simulation device of  claim 1 , further comprising an endotracheal tube comprising a proximal end and a distal end, and further comprises a pressure transducer configured to determine a pressure differential between the distal end and proximal end of the endotracheal tube, the endotracheal tube in fluid communication with the suction catheter when the suction catheter is used to remove a fluid from the manikin's airway. 
     
     
         7 . The suction simulation device of  claim 3 , further comprising a fluid inlet tube comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the fluid inlet tube is in fluid communication with the reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . The suction simulation device of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid inlet tube co-acts with the endotracheal tube, such that the distal end of the fluid inlet tube is positioned proximate the distal end of the endotracheal tube. 
     
     
         9 . The suction simulation device of  claim 7 , wherein the proximal end of the fluid inlet tube is in fluid communication with the pump. 
     
     
         10 . The suction simulation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a control device in communication with the pump and configured to control the pump. 
     
     
         11 . A suction simulation system comprising:
 a manikin comprising an airway configured to hold fluid; and   a suction simulation device comprising:
 a suction catheter; 
 a suction unit in fluid communication with the suction catheter, the suction unit comprising a reservoir for holding the fluid and the suction unit configured to provide vacuum capability to the suction catheter such that the suction catheter can aspirate the fluid from the airway of the manikin; and 
 a pump in fluid communication with the suction unit, the pump configured to flow the fluid from the reservoir to the manikin. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a breathing simulator in fluid communication with the airway of the manikin and configured to flow gas into the airway of the manikin. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the breathing simulator is configured to cause a physical response from the manikin. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising simulation software for executing a mechanical ventilation scenario. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the airway of the manikin is in fluid communication with the pump. 
     
     
         16 . A method of simulating a scenario requiring mechanical ventilation comprising:
 providing a manikin comprising an airway configured to hold fluid;   providing a suction simulation device comprising:
 a suction catheter; 
 a suction unit in fluid communication with the suction catheter, the suction unit comprising a reservoir for holding fluid and the suction unit configured to provide vacuum capability to the suction catheter; and 
 a pump in fluid communication with the suction unit and the airway of the manikin, the pump configured to flow the fluid from the reservoir; and 
   running a mechanical ventilation scenario.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein running the mechanical ventilation scenario comprises:
 flowing fluid from the suction unit to the airway of the manikin using the pump; and   suctioning some of the fluid from the airway of the manikin using the suction catheter.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 providing a breathing simulator in fluid communication with the airway of the manikin; and   flowing gas from the breathing simulator to the airway of the manikin.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 providing simulation software,   wherein running the mechanical ventilation scenario comprises executing the simulation software.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the suction simulation device further comprises a control device in communication with the pump,
 wherein running the mechanical ventilation scenario comprises controlling the pump using the control device.