Syringe Pumps

Topics

Diagrams Principles of Operation Applications Safety Operation Preventive Maintenance Common Failure Modes Troubleshooting New Technology

Diagrams

Principles of Operation Syringe pumps use a series of sensors and a

motor driven plunger head to infuse liquid at a precise rate

Inputs Outputs

AC Moving Plunger

Full syringe Liquid released at steady rate

Principle of Operation

Chassis contains: LCD screen Alarm to alert user of failures and other

issues that need attention Power supply 2 power distribution boards Memory capabilities

Records doses, rates, and settings

Principles of Operation

Chassis contains: Flange clamp sensor

Determines if syringe flange is present

Barrel clamp sensor Determines if barrel of syringe is present Determines size of syringe

Position sensor Determines how far plunger head is from

chassis

Principles of Operation

Chassis contains: Motor and worm gear

Smoothly moves plunger head outwards Unidirectional

Pyramid shaped reflective counter Rotates with motor Counts rotations by reflecting light back at a sensor

Principles of Operation Plunger head contains:

Force sensor Syringe plunger

pushes against sensor Springs attached to

plunger flippers and force sensor detect presence of syringe plunger

Clutch & lever to allow and prevent plunger from moving freely

Applications

Infuse fluids, medication or nutrients into circulatory system

Administers fluids more reliably than humans Improve patient safety by increasing

consistency and accuracy Assist in investigation of incidents by collecting

data in memory

Safety Always use PPE Read manual before using

Operation

Place syringe in three clamps (flange, barrel, plunger flippers)

Designate infusion settings on screen Press “start”

Bolus option: quickly moves plunger head to prime syringe

Always pay attention to alarm warnings Use Biomed option for troubleshooting

help

Preventive Maintenance Replace IV tubing, cassette, and/or syringe Clean machine and chassis of any solution residue Verify software and menu settings are appropriate for

clinical application Examine controls and switches for proper function Confirm lights, indicators, and displays are working Verify flow stops when device is turned off If device includes a feature that requires the IV set to be

closed before it is disconnected (either automatically or manually), verify that this mechanism is operating properly

Check rollers and tubing to see if replacement is necessary Run self-test, if equipped

Preventative Maintenance Examine plug and line cord Verify battery chargers and indicators are working Check suggested replacement date for the battery to see

if the date is passed or approaching Calibrate machine as necessary Check for unusual noise or vibration Examine internal cables and connectors Lubricate as required by syringe pump manufacturer

Common Failure Modes

No power Battery not holding charge No display Bad keypads Broken handles Flash memory errors Plunger sensor errors (syringe)

Trouble-shooting