Smiths Medical Portex Blue Line Ultra Suctionaid Tracheostomy Tube Cuffed — 100/860/060 - 100/860/085

The Portex Blue Line Ultra Suctionaid Tracheostomy Tube is a cuffed, non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube designed for placement in adult patients who require mechanical ventilation through a surgically or percutaneously created tracheal stoma. It maintains a secure, sealed airway for positive pressure ventilation while simultaneously providing an independent channel — the Suctionaid lumen — for removing secretions that accumulate in the subglottic space above the cuff.

Secretions pooling above the inflated cuff are the primary source of microaspiration into the lower respiratory tract in ventilated patients. This microaspiration is the leading mechanism driving ventilator-associated pneumonia, one of the most common and costly ICU-acquired infections. The Suctionaid lumen exits above the cuff, allowing continuous or intermittent suction to clear this reservoir of secretions before they can migrate past the cuff — making the 100/860 series directly applicable to VAP prevention protocols in ICUs and HDUs.

The 100/860 series features the Profile Soft-Seal cuff — a low-profile, low-pressure, high-volume cuff that is specifically designed to reduce the bulk at the cuff-to-tube junction. This reduced profile makes tube insertion smoother and minimises the focal stress concentration at the point where the cuff meets the tube body, which is a site of potential cuff failure during long-term placement.

Supplied across India by Shah Trading Corporation, Mumbai — trusted distributor and supplier of Smiths Medical Portex airway management products.

The 100/860 is designed for units that centralise their tracheostomy accessory supply — maintaining a shared stock of inner cannulae (100/856 or 100/858 series), suction valves, and tube holders rather than opening individual kit packs for each patient tube change.

Key Features

Integral Suctionaid® Subglottic Suction Lumen - A dedicated second lumen runs the full length of the tube alongside the airway and exits above the inflated cuff. Connecting a suction source to the Suctionaid port removes pooled subglottic secretions before they can migrate into the lower respiratory tract — addressing the primary mechanism of ventilator-associated pneumonia in tracheostomised patients.

Profile Soft-Seal Cuff - The Profile Soft-Seal is a low-pressure, high-volume cuff with a reduced-profile design at the cuff-to-tube junction. The low-profile bond minimises the raised edge where the cuff meets the tube body — an area of tracheal wall contact that can create focal pressure. The large cuff resting diameter seals effectively without the high intracuff pressures that cause mucosal ischaemia during prolonged ICU placement.

Thermosensitive PVC Construction - The tube body is firm at room temperature for controlled insertion and softens progressively at body temperature to conform to the patient's individual tracheal curvature. This temperature-dependent flexibility reduces persistent focal pressure on the tracheal mucosa at the tube tip and at the neck flange contact point during extended ICU use.

Radio-Opaque Throughout - A radio-opaque additive runs through the full length of the tube body. This makes the entire tube — including the tip — visible on chest X-ray, allowing the clinical team to confirm correct tube tip position at the time of insertion and at any subsequent point of clinical concern without requiring contrast or additional imaging.

105° Flange Angle for Neck Comfort - The soft, transparent neck flange is angled at 105° — designed to sit comfortably against the contour of the anterior neck without lifting or pressing at the flange edges. The clear flange material allows inspection of the skin beneath the fixation point without removing the tube holder, supporting early identification of pressure injury at the stoma site.

Clear Pilot Balloon with Cuff Information - The pilot balloon is transparent and marked with relevant cuff information, allowing an initial visual check of cuff inflation status at a glance. This does not replace quantitative cuff pressure monitoring with a calibrated manometer — which remains the clinical standard for safe cuff management — but provides a rapid first-pass indicator at the bedside.

Ventilation Uninterrupted During Suction - The Suctionaid suction lumen is entirely separate from the main airway lumen. Suction applied to the Suctionaid port draws from above the cuff only — there is no reduction in ventilator tidal volume, no partial airway occlusion, and no interruption to CPAP or pressure-support ventilation during subglottic suction. The two channels function completely independently.

Reference	Tube Size	ID (mm)	OD (mm)	Length (mm)	Pack Qty
100/860/060	6.0 mm	6.0	9.2	64.5	10 / box
100/860/070	7.0 mm	7.0	10.5	70.0	10 / box
100/860/075	7.5 mm	7.5	11.3	73.0	10 / box
100/860/080	8.0 mm	8.0	11.9	75.5	10 / box
100/860/085	8.5 mm	8.5	12.6	78.0	10 / box

 

Technical Specification

Parameter	Detail
Tube Material	Thermosensitive PVC — firm at room temperature; softens at body temperature to conform to tracheal anatomy
Cuff Type	Profile Soft-Seal® — Low Pressure High Volume (LPHV); reduced-profile cuff-to-tube bond junction
Suction Lumen	Integral Suctionaid® lumen — exits above the cuff; independent of main airway lumen
Radio-Opacity	Full-length radio-opaque tube — tip and body visible on chest X-ray
Flange Material	Soft, clear PVC — 105° angle for neck comfort; transparent for stoma inspection
Pilot Balloon	Clear with cuff information markings — visual cuff status indicator
Standard Connector	ISO 15 mm on inner cannula — compatible with all ventilator circuits, HME filters, speaking valves
Tube Type	Cuffed, non-fenestrated — for fully ventilated patients not yet ready for weaning or phonation
Inner Cannula	Not included in 100/860 — order separately: 100/856 (20/box) or 100/858 (50/box)
Manufacturer	Smiths Medical (now ICU Medical) — Portex® product line
Distributor in India	Shah Trading Corporation, Mumbai