An Evaluation of Induced Failure Modes in the BelmontĀ® Rapid Infuser. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Rapid infusers are vital tools during massive hemorrhage and resuscitation. Sporadic reports of overheating and shutdown of the BelmontĀ® Rapid Infuser, a commonly used system, have been attributed to 1-sided clot blockage of the fluid path. We investigated multiple causes of failure of this device. METHODS: Packed red blood cells and thawed fresh frozen plasma with normal saline solution were used as base fluids for serial 10-minute trials using standard disposable sets in 2 Belmont devices. Possible contributors to device failure, including calcium-containing solutions and external leakage currents, were evaluated. Thermographic images of the heater and disposable cartridges were recorded. The effects of complete unilateral clotting were modeled by sealing half of the disposable cartridge with epoxy. RESULTS: Clotting on the surface of the heat exchanger coil increased with calcium concentration and was only observed at calcium concentrations >12.0 mmol/L (P < 0.0001) in a 1:1 plasma:red blood cell mixture, resulting in high-pressure downstream occlusion alarms and interruption of flow. CONCLUSIONS: Clot-based occlusion can be induced in the Belmont Rapid Infuser under unrealistic conditions. In the absence of complete unilateral flow blockage, we did not observe any significant overheating of the infuser under extreme operating conditions.

authors

  • Boyer, Richard
  • Hocking, Kyle M
  • Booth, Garrett S
  • Berry, James M
  • Spain, Travis W
  • Michaels, Damon R
  • Sandberg, Warren S
  • Pilla, Michael A

publication date

  • April 1, 2016

Research

keywords

  • Equipment Failure
  • Erythrocytes
  • Infusion Pumps
  • Plasma

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84951335805

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1213/ANE.0000000000001110

PubMed ID

  • 26702866

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 122

issue

  • 4