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The Rapid Barostat Bag (RBB) Pump is a portable, bedside medical device
used for evaluating Rectal Motor and Sensory Function. It provides accurate
and consistent readings of a patient’s rectal capacity, pressure, compliance,
and sensation by performing the RBB Test and categorizing patients as
having hypo-/normal/hyper-sensitivity based on established percentages.
The RBB Test is a simple two-step rectal barostat procedure (streamlined by
Dr. Mark Fox of the University of Zurich) to provide accurate readings of a
patient’s rectal motor and sensory functions within 10 minutes. The RBB Tests
consist of the Capacity Test followed by the Sensation Test. The RBB Pump
and Catheter are used together for the inflation of a Barostat Bag to measure
Rectal Capacity, Pressure, Compliance and Sensitivity. These findings, in
conjunction with normal values established by Dr. Fox can aid in the diagnosis
of anorectal disorders, such as fecal incontinence and constipation, as well as
aid in surgical pre-screening, biofeedback training, and determining rectal
sensitivity of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
patients.
The RBB Pump uses a battery-operated air compressor, designed to inflate a
Barostat Bag at the default rate of 120 mL/min. The pump is operated through
a touch screen, which actively displays the data collected during an RBB Test.
At the end of the test, a report is generated by the pump, which can then be
exported to an external USB Mass Storage Device. Raw data collected during
the test can also be exported for research purposes.
The RBB Pump includes a Bluetooth handheld remote control. During the
Sensation Test, patients are requested to identify 3 different sensitivity stages:
Sensation, Urge and Discomfort. Using the remote control, patients can
provide a direct input to the pump, reducing data latency. Operators of the
pump can also provide these inputs directly into the pump for the patients, if
the patients are unable to do so, or if the remote control fails to work.
In an emergency, the pump utilizes a Disable Button that immediately
deactivates all internal components inside the pump. A valve is opened
internally to allow all air from the Barostat Bag to escape, preventing any
potential harm to the patient.
*M. Sauter, H. Heinrich, M. Fox, B. Misselwitz, M. Halama, W. Schwizer, M. Fried, H. Fruefauf. (2014). Validation of High-
Resolution Anorectal Manometry and Rapid Barostat Bag measurements of rectal function. In M. Simren, G. Mawe, J. Galligan
(Eds.). Neurogastroenterology & Motility (vol. 26, pp. 685-695)