Applications:
MMS®, in collaboration with Eastern Virginia Medical School (“EVMS”) in Norfolk, In-VA, has developed an in-line device that uses non-invasive microwave sensing to provide rapid detection of air emboli in commonly used IV tubing sets. The Air Emboli Detection Device is a small, pole-mounted transducer into which the IV tubing is inserted (aperture).
The diameter of the IV tubing, and the flow rate of the fluid are known quantities. The exact volume of an air bubble can be determined by measuring the time it takes for the air bubble to enter and pass through the aperture. The transducer is a small microwave cavity that receives the naturally-emitted electromagnetic energy from the fluid as it is flowing through the plastic IV tubing. Microwave radiometric sensing is passive and non-invasive. The presence of air in the IV line creates a sharp contrast in the microwave properties of fluid and air. Plastic and air are transparent at microwave frequencies, and do not attenuate or delay the receive signal. The transducer can instantly detect the presence and volume of air emboli.
The output of the radiometric sensors and processor and can then be coupled to an IV Flow-Stop device. Activation of the Flow Stop can be set to a specific air bubble volume, and test results verify that bubbles less than 0.1ml in volume are easily detected. The Flow-Stop could be replaced with a device that can redirect an air bubble, thereby avoiding infusion of a bubble into a patient.
The Air Emboli Detection Device is currently integrated into MMS®’ commercially available ThermoStat 900™ Blood and Fluid Warming and Infusion System.
For more information, please contact MMS at info@mms-llc.com