ICU Medical Tracheostomy Tubes, HMEs & Closed Suction
ICU Medical acquired Smiths Medical in January 2022, so the Portex tracheostomy and airway products many clinicians know now carry the ICU Medical name. MEC stocks ICU Medical Blue Line Ultra and Suctionaid tracheostomy tube kits, Thermovent T and T2 heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs), SuctionPro72 closed suction catheters, and tracheostomy straps, brushes and swabs. The range suits hospital wards, ICUs, community nursing and patients managing a tracheostomy at home.
The ICU Medical Tracheostomy Range at MEC
| Need | Products | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tracheostomy tube | Blue Line Ultra tube kit, Blue Line Ultra Suctionaid kit, BLUselect Suctionaid in 7.0 mm and 8.0 mm, uncuffed fenestrated kit (6.0 mm) | Thermosensitive PVC tubes, supplied as kits with inner cannulas, a cleaning brush and a tube holder |
| Humidification | Thermovent T HME, Thermovent T2 HME, oxygen delivery aid for Thermovent T | For spontaneously breathing patients whose upper airway is bypassed by a tracheostomy tube |
| Closed suction | SuctionPro72 in 12 Fr and 14 Fr | Sterile, single-patient closed suction for ventilated adults, for up to 72 hours |
| Securement and cleaning | Tracheostomy strap, cleaning brushes, foam cleaning swabs | Foam-padded hook-and-loop strap for adult necks up to 550 mm. Brushes and swabs for inner cannula care |
How to Choose ICU Medical Tracheostomy Products
Standard or Suctionaid tube. Blue Line Ultra tubes are made from thermosensitive PVC, which is firm enough for insertion and then softens at body temperature to follow the patient's airway. The cuffed tubes use a high-volume, low-pressure Soft-Seal cuff. Suctionaid versions add a separate suction lumen for removing secretions that pool above the cuff. Clinicians choose them where subglottic secretion drainage is part of the care plan.
Thermovent T or T2. Both are sterile, single-use HMEs that fit a 15 mm tracheostomy connector and return heat and moisture to the inspired air. The Thermovent T is the low-profile option. Supplementary oxygen needs the clip-on oxygen delivery aid. The Thermovent T2 has a built-in oxygen port and a suction port, so secretions can be cleared without removing the HME. ICU Medical states it can deliver up to 60% inspired oxygen at 10 L/min, at 15 breaths per minute and 500 mL tidal volume. It is indicated for adults and children with a tidal volume above 70 mL.
Closed suction. SuctionPro72 keeps the ventilator circuit closed during suctioning. It includes an MDI adaptor, day-coloured labels for tracking change times, and a Trac-Wedge tool for disconnection. The 12 Fr and 14 Fr sizes are 300 mm long.
Important — Clinical direction: Tube type and size, cuff management, HME change intervals and suction catheter size should be set by the treating clinician or tracheostomy team. Thermovent HMEs and SuctionPro72 catheters are single-patient, single-use devices. Replace them at the interval stated in the instructions for use or local protocol, and sooner if they become blocked or soiled.
ICU Medical Tracheostomy FAQ
Are Portex and ICU Medical the same?
Portex was a Smiths Medical brand. ICU Medical completed its acquisition of Smiths Medical in January 2022, so Portex tracheostomy tubes, Thermovent HMEs and related products are now supplied by ICU Medical. Product codes are largely unchanged. See also our Portex, Blue Line Ultra and Bivona brand pages.
What is a Suctionaid tracheostomy tube?
It is a Blue Line Ultra tube with an extra suction lumen that opens above the cuff. Clinicians attach suction to it to remove secretions that collect above the cuff and cannot be reached by suctioning through the tube.
How do I clean a Blue Line Ultra inner cannula?
Follow the instructions supplied with the tube and your clinician's protocol. ICU Medical cleaning brushes and foam swabs are designed for cleaning Blue Line inner cannulas and the hard-to-reach areas inside the tube.
Browse the full ICU Medical range above, or explore our wider tracheostomy and laryngectomy, HME and filter and suction ranges. For hospital or bulk orders, contact the MEC team.