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F L O W C H A RA C T E R I S T I C S
The Belmont®buddy™2 Blood/Fluid Warmer is designed for gravity flow. The maximum flow
rates achievable will be determined by the size of the catheter employed.
The disposable has been designed to withstand up to 300 mmHg infusion pressure, provided the
disposable set is within the Heater Unit and latched. The system is designed to maintain
normothermic temperature at flow rates specified (50 ml/min for undiluted RBC’s at 10ºC, and
100 ml/min for 20ºC crystalloid). However, at higher flows, the fluids administered may not heat
to normothermia. There are no adjustments for the Heater Unit.
Pressure Drop:
The disposable and heating unit does not restrict flow. If flow appears to be restricted:
Check the infusion site to ensure catheter has not infiltrated the surrounding tissue
Check to make sure line is not crimped or clamped off
Out gassed fluids may be causing air build up in the disposable. If air restriction is
suspected:
oDetach the unit from the patient connection
oHolding the case with the patient connection port upward, tap the case gently while
allowing a few seconds of free flow to remove air. Reattach the unit to the patient with a
fluid-to-fluid connection.
oIf flow continues to be restricted, replace the disposable set.
Air Venting
As fluid flows through the disposable set, it passes across microporous membranes, which can
vent air from the fluid. The air is then released through the side vents of the set. When infusing
crystalloid, the set can vent large amounts of air. With blood or blood products, the set
can vent only small amounts of air. CAUTION: When using blood or blood product, the
Operator should be vigilant to avoid infusing air especially if using a hand squeeze pump
during the infusion. If the set were to become filled with air, the system will activate the
EMPTY SET/CHECK FOR AIR alarm to alert the Operator to the problem. The fluid path of
the set is only about 7 ml, and therefore, only a few ml of air will trigger the alarm. In addition,
there is a pressure-regulating valve, incorporated into the disposable set, prevents potential air
entrainment into the system by stopping fluid flow if a partial vacuum condition is present.
During normal operation –water vapor, along with out-gassed air from warmed fluid, will be
vented and will cause condensation to appear within the side vents after prolonged use. This
should not be mistaken as a seal failure due to materials or workmanship.