Mechanical user control elements for fluid input module

A method for use with a tracheal ventilation tube and a suction source, the method comprising:

• providing a cleaning catheter, which is insertable into the ventilation tube and comprises (i) an elongate, flexible, tubular catheter main body, which is shaped so as to define (a) one or more distal suction orifices, (b) a suction lumen, and (c) an inflation lumen;
• and (ii) an inflatable element, which is mounted to the catheter main body;
• providing an input module, which is coupled to the cleaning catheter, and comprises (i) an inflation module, which comprises an inflation chamber, wherein the inflation lumen couples an interior of the inflation chamber in fluid communication with an interior of the inflatable element;
• (ii) a flow regulator, which is shaped so as to define a suction port coupleable in fluid communication with the suction source;
• (iii) a mechanical suction-control button, which is configured to assume at least first and second spatial positions;
• (iv) a mechanical inflation-control button, which is configured to (a) assume at least first and second spatial positions, and (b) mechanically and non-electrically increase pressure in the interior of the inflation chamber during a transition of the mechanical inflation-control button from its first spatial position to its second spatial position;
• and (v) a reversibly-engageable linking element, which is moveable with respect to the mechanical suction-control button and the mechanical inflation-control button, and is configured to assume at least (a) a first spatial position, in which the linking element does not engage the mechanical suction-control button when the mechanical suction-control button is in its second spatial position, and (b) a second spatial position, wherein the input module is arranged such that:
• (i) at least when the mechanical suction-control button is in its first spatial position, the flow regulator blocks fluid communication between the suction source and the distal suction orifices, and at least when the mechanical suction-control button is in its second spatial position, the flow regulator connects the suction source and the distal suction orifices in fluid communication via the suction lumen, and (ii) when (a) the linking element is in its second spatial position and (b) the mechanical suction-control button and the mechanical inflation-control button are in their respective first spatial positions:
• depression of the linking element transitions both the mechanical suction-control button and the mechanical inflation-control button to their respective second spatial positions, such that the linking element engages both the mechanical suction-control button and the mechanical inflation-control button at least when the mechanical suction-control button is in its second spatial position;
• coupling the suction portion in fluid communication with the suction source;
• and
• inserting the cleaning catheter, in a proximal to distal direction, into the ventilation tube inserted in a trachea of a patient, and advancing the cleaning catheter until a distal end of the catheter main body is axially disposed in the ventilation tube at a location more distal than an axial mid-point of the ventilation tube.