System and method for suctioning for secretion removal from the airway of a mechanically ventilated subject

The ventilation system configured to generate a pressurized flow of breathable gas that is delivered to the airway of a subject to mechanically ventilate the subject, the ventilation system comprising:

• a pressure generator configured to generate a pressurized flow of breathable gas for delivery to an airway of a subject, the pressurized flow of breathable gas having one or more controllable gas parameters;
• one or more sensors configured to generate an output signal conveying information related to one or more gas parameters at or near the airway of the subject;
• and
• a processor configured to execute two or more computer program modules, the two or more computer program modules comprising at least:
• a suction timing module configured to generate a trigger signal indicating that suction through a suction catheter positioned at or near the airway of the subject to remove secretions should be initiated wherein the trigger signal is generated based on the output signal generated by the sensor;
• and
• a flow generator control module configured to control the pressure generator to facilitate removal of secretions from a flow path formed by an interface appliance and the airway of the subject during a secretion removal routine;
• wherein:
• the secretion removal routine includes a pre-suction sub-routine, a suction sub-routine, and a post-suction sub-routine for reducing the impact of a catheter-operated suction in a patient, the flow generator control module being configured to control the pressure generator to adjust the one or more controllable gas parameters during the pre-suction sub-routine, the suction sub-routine, and the post-suction sub-routine;
• during the pre-suction sub-routine, the humidity of the pressurized flow of breathable gas is elevated;
• during the suction sub-routine, suction is applied to the flow path to remove secretions;
• during the post-suction sub-routine, one or more of an elevated level of oxygen content in the pressurized flow of breathable gas and performance of lung recruitment maneuvers is provided;
• wherein the processor is configured to:
• upon completion of the suction subroutine, generate a cue to prompt a user to enter a control input;
• and
• wherein the control input is configured to instruct the processor to proceed to the post-suction sub-routine.