A wiping device for cleaning an inner surface of a ventilation tube in a closed ventilation system where air is mechanically forced into the ventilation tube by an external ventilator , comprising: a ventilation tube connector assembly for connecting the ventilation tube to the ventilator , an elongate flexible main body having a suction lumen and an inflation lumen , an inflatable balloon one or more suction orifices on the main body in fluid communication with the suction lumen, a pliable and impermeable sleeve around at least a portion of the main body in locations proximal to the ventilator tube connector assembly , an input module assembly connected to a proximal end of the main body, the pliable and impermeable sleeve being connected at a distal end to the ventilation tube connector assembly, and at a proximal end to the input module assembly, the input module assembly having: (i) a fluid source for inflation of the inflatable balloon, (ii) a suction port connectable to a suction source , and (iii) a switching assembly to manually regulate delivery of fluid from the fluid source to the inflatable balloon and to regulate suction between the suction port and the suction lumen, characterised in that the inflatable balloon is mounted to the elongate flexible main body at or near a distal end thereof, the inflatable balloon being sealed and expandable by fluid through the inflation lumen so that a balloon wall is brought into contact with the ventilation tube inner surface when the main body is inserted inside the ventilation tube. a ventilation tube connector assembly for connecting the ventilation tube to the ventilator , an elongate flexible main body having a suction lumen and an inflation lumen , an inflatable balloon one or more suction orifices on the main body in fluid communication with the suction lumen, a pliable and impermeable sleeve around at least a portion of the main body in locations proximal to the ventilator tube connector assembly , an input module assembly connected to a proximal end of the main body, the pliable and impermeable sleeve being connected at a distal end to the ventilation tube connector assembly, and at a proximal end to the input module assembly, the input module assembly having: (i) a fluid source for inflation of the inflatable balloon, (ii) a suction port connectable to a suction source , and (iii) a switching assembly to manually regulate delivery of fluid from the fluid source to the inflatable balloon and to regulate suction between the suction port and the suction lumen, (i) a fluid source for inflation of the inflatable balloon, (ii) a suction port connectable to a suction source , and (iii) a switching assembly to manually regulate delivery of fluid from the fluid source to the inflatable balloon and to regulate suction between the suction port and the suction lumen, characterised in that the inflatable balloon is mounted to the elongate flexible main body at or near a distal end thereof, the inflatable balloon being sealed and expandable by fluid through the inflation lumen so that a balloon wall is brought into contact with the ventilation tube inner surface when the main body is inserted inside the ventilation tube. <EOS>