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Francesco Curto

Publications and source records attributed to Francesco Curto.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The Mucus Slurper: A novel tracheal tube that requires no tracheal tube suctioning. A preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: The buildup of mucus within the endotracheal tube (ETT) progressively reduces its internal volume. We devised the Mucus Slurper as an integral part of the tracheal tube to aspirate all mucus automatically at its distal tip. DESIGN AND SETTING: In vitro, and in vivo studies in sheep at the National Institutes of Health, NHLBI, PCCMB. SUBJECTS: Six sheep, sedated, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated INTERVENTIONS: We evaluated the Mucus Slurper in vitro, and we evaluated its efficacy and safety in three healthy sheep during 24 h on volume-controlled mechanical ventilation in comparison to three sheep managed with open tracheal tube suctioning. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: In vitro: with the Mucus Slurper connected to a source of vacuum of 450-500 mmHg the total volume of a single suction lasting 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 s was, respectively, 75.4 +/- 7.9, 114.5 +/- 4.6, and 143.4 +/- 8.7 ml; with the measured vacuum within the lumen of the Mucus Slurper ring of 37 cmH2O. In vivo: during mechanical ventilation we aspirated through the Mucus Slurper 13.4 +/- 3.3 cc mucus/24 h. During the course of single aspiration the Mucus Slurper never affected the level of applied PEEP. The tracheal tube was free of tracheal secretions in the Mucus Slurper group while thin secretions were found within the ETT in the control group. CONCLUSION: The Mucus Slurper is a novel device designed to keep the tracheal tube and proximal trachea free of mucus. In studies in sheep lasting 24 h the Mucus Slurper was safe and prevented all mucus accumulation within the ETT.

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PubMed2006

Antibacterial-coated tracheal tubes cleaned with the Mucus Shaver : a novel method to retain long-term bactericidal activity of coated tracheal tubes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term benefit from antibacterial coatings of the tracheal tube (ETT), and to keep clean the lumen of the ETT. DESIGN: Experimental animal study. SETTING: USA National Institutes of Health. SUBJECTS: Twelve sheep. INTERVENTIONS: Twelve ETTs were internally dip-coated with a silver-sulfadiazine in polyurethane. We developed a concentric inflatable silicone rubber "razor", the Mucus Shaver (MS), to shave the ETT lumen free of mucus. In a single pass, we cleaned all mucus from the internal surface of the ETT. CONTROL GROUP: Five intubated sheep were mechanically ventilated for 72 h. The ETT was suctioned every 6 h. STUDY GROUP: Six sheep were intubated and mechanically ventilated for 72 h. The ETT was suctioned and cleaned with the MS every 6 h. An additional sheep was intubated and mechanically ventilated for 168 h. Bacteriologic studies and scanning electron microscopy were performed to assess bacterial colonization and thickness of secretions on the internal surface of the ETT. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the control group, the ETT was always heavily colonized: median debris thickness was 380 microm, range 270-550 microm. In the study group, there was no colonization and no secretions in the ETT, except for three ETT that were colonized solely at the very tip. CONCLUSIONS: Silver-based coating of ETT cleaned with the MS every 6 h significantly reduces accumulation of mucus/secretion and bacterial growth within the ETT following 72 h of mechanical ventilation.

Animals↗