Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The accuracy of the flowrate in flush-devices of disposable pressure transducers

  • Published:
International journal of clinical monitoring and computing

Abstract

Background

Arterial and venous pressure is commonly measured using fluid filled catheters. To avoid obstruction they are continuously spilled by a flush-device. The accuracy of the flowrate has not been investigated previously.

Methods

The accuracy of 5 different flush-devices available in Switzerland was checked for flowrate when factory new, after a single sterilization with ethylen-oxide, in a long-term test over 96 hours, after repeated handling of the integrated bypass and under application of a pulsing counter-pressure.

Results

Flow is linearly related to differential-pressure and is constant over time. The flow of each flush-device at 200 mmHg differential-pressure was below the indicated 3 ml per hour (1.69–2.49 ml/h). Sterilization in two types produced a significant but not relevant difference in flowrate. Longtime-use, bypass actuation and pulsing pressure did not alter the flowrate significantly (p<0.05). In two factory-new flush-devices and 4 re-used ones a plugged capillary induced cessation of flow.

Conclusions

Flowrate in flush-devices is accurate under sterilization, longtime use, bypass-actuation and pulsing counter pressure. A plugged capillary occurred in a few new and reused flush-devices, which can be the explanation for clotted catheters in clinical use.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CP:

counter pressure

DP:

differential pressure

DPT:

disposable pressure transducer

DRP:

driving pressure

FD:

flush-device

FR:

flowrate

G:

gauge

MAP:

mean arterial pressure

NaCl:

saline 0.9%

RBP:

reservoir bag pressure

References

  1. Brandt L, Dick W. Klinische Erfahrungen mit einem neuen mehrfach wiederverwendbaren Druckaufnehmer. Anaesthesist 1987;36:450–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hunziker P. Accuracy and dynamic response of disposable pressure transducer-tubing systems. Can J Anaesth 1987;34;4:409–14.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Runciman WB, Rutten AJ, Ilsley AH. An evaluation of blood pressure measurement. Anaesth Intens Care 1981;9:314–25.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hipkins SF, Rutten AJ, Runci-man WB. Experimental analysis of catheter-manometer systems, in vitro and in vivo. Anesthesiology 1989;71:893–906.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kleinmann B, Gardner RM, Powell S. Dynamic testing of catheter manometer systems [correspondence]. Anesthesiology 1990;73:1058–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Kleinmann B, Powell S. Dynamic response of the ROSE damping device. J Clin Monit 1989;5:111–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Kleinman B. Understanding natural frequency and damping and how they relate to the measurement of blood pressure. J Clin Monit 1989;5:137–47.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Allan MWB, Gray WM, Asbury AJ. Measurement of arterial pressure using catheter-transducer systems. Br J Anaesth 1988;60:413–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Bentley MW, Lee CM. The frequency response of direct pressure measurement systems. Australasian Physical & Engeneering Sciences in Medicine 1988;11;4:150–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Taylor BC, Ellis DM, Drew JM. Quantification and simulation of fluid-filled catheter-transducer systems. Medical Instrumentation 1986;20;3:123–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Yeomanson CW, Evans DH. The frequency response of external transducer blood pressure measurement systems: a theoretical and experimental study. Clin Phys Physiol Meas 1983;4;4:435–49.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Schilt W. Verfälschung von Blutdruckwerten bei unzureichender Anpassung des Schwingverhaltens im Katheter-Transducer System. Biomed. Technik 1983;28:112–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Gardner RM. Direct blood pressure measurement-dynamic response requirements. Anesthesiology 1981;54:227–36.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Lombholt N, Bille-Bra-he NE, Andersen HR, Djuurhus JC, Bredgaard M. Thin fluid-filled catheters for more accurate detrmination of pressures and their time derivates. Acta Chir Scand 1980;502:27–32.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Matzek F, Boenick U, Frucht U, Schroeder PM. Vergleichende Untersuchung von Einwegtransducern zur invasiven Blutdruckmessung. Biomed. Technik 1989;34:34–41.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Emergency Care Research Institute. Disposable pressure transducers. Health Devices 1988;17:75–94.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Gardner RM, Bond EL, Clark JS. Safety and efficacy of continuous flush systems for arterial and pulmonary artery catheters. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 1977;23;6:534–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Smith RN. Invasive pressure monitoring. American Journal of Nursing 1978;78:9:1514–21.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Gardner RM, Warner HR, Toronto AF Gaisford WD. Catheterflush system for continuous monitoring of central arterial pulse wafeform. J Appl Physiol 1970;29;6:911–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Hammer A, Hammer K. Taschenbuch der Physik. 5th reved. Munich: J. Lindauer Verlag, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland

    Christoph Michel, Fritz Roth, Peter Feigenwinter & Alex M. Zbinden

Authors
  1. Christoph Michel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fritz Roth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peter Feigenwinter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Alex M. Zbinden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Michel, C., Roth, F., Feigenwinter, P. et al. The accuracy of the flowrate in flush-devices of disposable pressure transducers. J Clin Monitor Comput 12, 219–224 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01207202

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01207202

Key words

Search

Navigation