How to Metering Calibrate the Medical Infusion Pump?

Through the metering calibration of the infusion pump, quality control of the infusion pump can be achieved. BQ+ has compiled the methods and precautions for metering and calibration of infusion pumps in this article.

When calibrating the medical infusion pump, the volume flow infusion pump is used, and the unit is mL/h. The flow calibration of medical infusion pumps adopts the comparison method, and the medical infusion pump detector is usually used for calibration. Connect the calibration device and pour liquid into the pipeline to ensure that there is no air in the pipeline.

According to the scope of use of the calibrated instrument, select the appropriate calibration point, read the flow value from the detector and the tested infusion pump, and calculate the flow error value and flow repeatability value. It should be noted that the average flow reading should be recorded for the detector with the instantaneous flow and average flow measurement functions in the same period.

When calibrating the blocking alarm pressure, the calibrated instrument is set to the infusion state, the flow rate is set to medium speed, and the detector is set to test the blocking alarm state. When the calibrated instrument is blocked, the corresponding sound and light alarm must be generated and the infusion must be stopped, and the obstruction alarm pressure threshold recorded by the detector at this time must be recorded. Check whether there is any leakage or pipe damage in the tested instrument, and calculate the error value of the blocked alarm pressure of the tested instrument.

The calibration process should meet the requirements for use. Generally, distilled water or deionized water is selected as the injection solution. Normal saline cannot be used, because the normal saline contains sodium chloride, which not only affects the accuracy of the measurement results but also corrodes the components of the detector when used for a long time. Blockage or damage of the detector.

The infusion pump and the infusion pipeline used by the user are required to be calibrated as a whole, and information such as the manufacturer, model, and specification of the infusion pipeline used is reflected in the original calibration record and certificate file. In the case of a large calibration result caused by the infusion pipeline during the calibration process, the user should be clearly informed to remind the user of the possible impact on the performance of the instrument caused by the use of an unqualified infusion pipeline, so as to eliminate hidden dangers.

When calibrating the flow error, it must be recorded after the flow is stable. How to determine whether the flow is stable? Infusion pumps and detectors of different principles have different times for the flow to stabilize. Based on experience, there are three common conditions for determining the steady-state of flow:

(1) The most common situation is that the flow rate has just started to increase or decrease. At this time, the flow rate is not stable; as time goes by, the flow rate gradually approaches a certain flow value, and the flow rate can be judged at this time. stability.

(2) The flow reading has been bouncing and changing up and down near a certain flow value. As time goes by, the amplitude of the beating gradually decreases and gradually approaches the flow value. It can be judged that the flow is stable at this time.

(3) The instantaneous flow value has always had a large jump and change without a decreasing trend, but it can basically be maintained near a certain flow value. When the average flow is stable near the flow value, it can be judged that the flow is stable at this time.

When calibrating the blocking alarm pressure, the medium speed should be selected to eliminate the influence of the flow rate on the blocking alarm pressure error. For volumetric infusion pumps and volumetric infusion controllers, the speed is set to 25mL/h; for syringe pumps, the speed is set to 5mL/h; for special-use equipment and portable infusion pumps, the speed is set as specified by the manufacturer.

When calculating the blocking alarm pressure error, the blocking alarm setting the value of the tested instrument can generally be obtained by viewing the function key on the panel. The instruments of different manufacturers are not the same. In actual testing, the following 4 types of blocking alarm setting values are more common:

(1) The set value is a fixed value, such as 500mmHg, and this value is substituted into the calculation.

(2) The setting value is expressed by the maximum allowable error, such as (500±120)mmHg, and 500mmHg is substituted into the calculation.

(3) The setting value is expressed in the form of pressure range, such as (300~700)mmHg, in this case, it should be regarded as (500±200)mmHg, and 500mmHg is substituted into the calculation.

(4) When the set value is not found or expressed as “High/Low”, the actual measurement value of the blocking alarm can be issued in the calibration certificate, with a description of the situation.

Under different testing and application conditions, the test results will be quite different. It is recommended to pay attention to the above calibration precautions when calibrating the infusion pump to achieve accurate calibration, provide protection for clinical treatment, and reduce potential medical risks.

As a medical product manufacturer with extensive experience, BQ+ has developed and manufactured products that have passed various authoritative safety certifications and fully comply with strict medical requirements. We uphold a responsible attitude towards users and patients and control the quality of our products in an all-around way. Our products are also sold all over the world, if you want to buy our infusion pumps, please contact us immediately!