?:definition
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Bronchial catheters designed to take protected specimens of bacteria (e.g., those causing nosocomial pneumonia) infecting the lungs. These catheters typically consist of a coaxial double-lumen protected catheter; one lumen is used for injection-aspiration and the second lumen includes a balloon with a diaphragm at its tip to prevent contamination. Nosocomial bacteria catheters are intended for introduction into the bronchi through the mouth or nose, usually through an endotracheal tube or a bronchoscope; the catheter is long enough to make possible the advance of its distal tip into the bronchi through the tracheobronchial tree. The catheters are used mainly to diagnose pneumonia in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients.
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