Field-Ready Suction Solutions for Emergencies: The Battlefield Ready Innovative Suction Kit (BRISK)

Abstract

Introduction

Portable suction devices are crucial for emergency airway management. Commercially-available units are unsuitable for field use due to size and power needs. A light-weight and multi-orientation operable portable suction device, Battlefield Ready Innovative Suction Kit (BRISK) was developed. The design was informed by feedback from combat medics, paramedics, and EMTs.

Methods

End-user engagement and feedback defined BRISK’s design. The fabricated prototype used a vacuum pump and hydrophobic syringe filters. Performance tests measured vacuum pressure, air and liquid (water and ISO vomit simulant) flow rates, volume of water suctioned in different orientations (upright, tilted, or inverted), and contamination prevention between BRISK, SSCOR Quickdraw, and Laerdal LCSU4.

Results

The BRISK device—weighing 0.97 kg—demonstrated a maximum vacuum pressure of 570 ± 6 mmHg and an air flowrate of 5.20 L/min. Liquid flow rates (L/min) for BRISK, LCSU4, and SSCOR with water were 4.92 ± 0.2, 6.97 ± 0.1, and 5.37 ± 0.1, respectively. With ISO vomit simulant, the rates were 3.23 ± 0.2, 3.06 ± 0.4, and 2.23 ± 0.1. BRISK showed consistent performance across orientations (p = 0.081), while LCSU4 and SSCOR varied significantly (p < 0.0001). The BRISK’s cross-contamination between filters and the pump was 0.01%, which is far less than the  rated contamination level of 0.1% as described by ISO 10079-1.

Conclusion

BRISK is 30% lighter and achieves competitive vacuum pressures and liquid flow rates than comparable units currently in the market. It ensures effective evacuation of liquids in all orientations: upright, tilted, or inverted. These results demonstrate the BRISK has the potential to provide superior clinical performance in pre-hospital and first response scenarios.