Improved Suction Efficiency and User Satisfaction With a Novel Portable Manual Suction Device: A Simulation-Based Pre-Hospital Study

Abstract

Introduction Effective airway suction is critical in prehospital care, yet many portable devices still provide limited suction performance and are poorly designed ergonomically. This study developed and evaluated a portable manual suction device intended to improve both operational performance and operator usability during simulated airway management. Methods In this simulation-based developmental study, all suction trials were conducted in a controlled laboratory setting using standardized simulated airway fluids and predefined environmental conditions. Suction performance was assessed using three standardized fluids. Performance outcomes included suction time, aspirated volume, and calculated efficiency. User satisfaction was measured using a validated scale ranging from 10 to 50 points. All analyses were performed using SPSS v24.0. Results The prototype suction device demonstrated significantly shorter suction times and greater aspirated volumes across all fluid types (all p < 0.001), with efficiency gains ranging from 20 to 35. User satisfaction and ergonomic ratings were also significantly higher with the prototype device (p < 0.001). Conclusion The prototype suction device demonstrated superior mechanical performance and improved operator usability under simulated prehospital conditions. Its ergonomic design, integrated lighting, and disposable components collectively contributed to enhanced overall functionality. Further clinical studies are required to determine its impact in real-world prehospital settings.