Exergen Global said that its Micro IRt/c-HB infrared non-contact sensors are now being used for measuring blood product temperatures in the ThermaCor 1200 Rapid Thermal Infuser designed and developed by Smisson-Cartledge Biomedical and manufactured by Sparton Medical.
Image: Blood bag. Photo: Courtesy of Würfel/Wikipedia.org
Exergen’s thermal management sensors measure both the input and output temperature of blood products in the system to ensure that patients suffering from blood loss due to trauma or surgery very quickly receive fluids warmed to the perfect body temperature.
SCB and Exergen Global partnered to develop a solution that could rapidly and continuously measure the large volumes of fluids needed for trauma, transplants and other procedures. The ThermaCor infusion system utilizes the Exergen sensors to monitor and display the fluid’s temperature so that the clinician is always kept informed of the system’s performance.
Since sterility was a mandate, any thermal management sensor used in the solution needed to have the capability to indirectly measure fluid temperature without directly contacting the fluid.
The team employed Exergen’s patented heat balance equation, a formula that allows the sensors to be precisely calibrated to measure the variance in temperature between the outside of the tube that transports the fluid, and the blood within the tube.
Exergen’s heat balance equation, combined with its IRt/c non-contact sensors offered an ideal solution, providing measurements without touching the fluids while delivering accuracy within 0.1°C and response rates of between 50 and 150 milliseconds.
SCB and Sparton Medical chose to partner with Exergen Global because the sensor manufacturer’s exclusive, proprietary Sensoranics methodology closely mirrors Sparton’s approach to conquering the challenges to quality. Both companies emphasize the importance of partnership, the critical role of industry expertise and the overarching emphasis on customer satisfaction.
Smisson-Cartledge Biomedical CEO David C. Field said: “The ThermaCor 1200 Rapid Thermal Infuser is the culmination of our team’s work to bring a faster, easier and safer method to deliver large volumes of normothermic blood products for better patient care.
“However, the device requires a highly reliable means to properly measure fluid temperature. Exergen Global provided us with the perfect solution. Its non-contact sensors ensure sterility, which of course is paramount in medical procedures. What’s more, Exergen Global’s team of engineers worked closely with our engineers.
“The IRt/c sensor solution, including their heat balance equation, provides the utmost reliability ensuring that fluids will be infused at the proper temperature, thereby safeguarding patient safety and ultimately the patient’s life.”
Exergen global large accounts director Bram Stelt said: “In true keeping with our Sensoranics methodology, our engineers worked hand in hand with the needs of the ThermaCor 1200 team to create a thermal management solution ideally suited to this very specific application.
“The end result is a highly accurate and very cost-effective sensor solution ideally suited to the rapid thermal fluid infusion system.”
Source: Company Press Release