Enhancing military airway suction devices with a focus on performance and portability.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Airway management is critical in combat casualty care, with airway compromise being the second leading cause of preventable battlefield deaths. Suction devices are essential for clearing obstructions during airway management; however, many medics choose not to carry them due to their excessive weight. Current standards for suction devices mention a minimum liquid flow rate of 1.2 L/min and a maximum device weight of 6 kg, but these standards fail to meet the practical needs of military end-users. The team conducted an I-Corps funded end-user assessment study with over 100 participants, in which a minimum flow rate of 1 L/min and a maximum weight of 4.5 kg were indicated as preferred among respondents. This gap between the standards and user preferences results in exclusi

SUBMITTER: Londono MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12269139 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature