Safety and Reliability for ECMO & ECLS Therapy
Medical-Grade Flow-Bubble Sensors Guarantee Patient Safety in Life-Sustaining Heart and Lung Support
Heart-lung machines and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provide life-sustaining support by temporarily replacing heart and lung function. Patient safety largely depends on continuous monitoring of blood flow, pressure, gas exchange, and other vital parameters via integrated sensors and alarm systems.
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Safe Therapy for Patients with Heart and Lung Failure
Heart-lung machines (HLM) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are highly complex cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) systems that temporarily take over the function of the heart and/or lungs in patients with severe heart and lung failure. While a HLM is primarily used in cardiac surgery to work on the stopped heart, ECMO is primarily used in intensive care units and emergency medicine to gain time for recovery or for further diagnostic measures in acute lung or heart failure.
Two ECMO Categories
ECMO is divided into two categories: VV-ECMO (veno-venous) for lung support and VA-ECMO (veno-arterial) for heart and lung support. To ensure highest patient safety, these life support systems are equipped with multiple sensors that continuously monitor the extracorporeal blood circulation.
Non-invasive Flow and Bubble Sensors for Patient Safety
The accurate monitoring of the blood flow is essential for ensuring proper organ perfusion. Non-invasive ultrasonic sensors measure blood flow in real time without interrupting the sterile circuit. The clamp-on sensors help to detect flow abnormalities, monitor pump flow rates, and prevent under- or overperfusion.
Non-invasive air bubble detectors, such as the medical SONOCHECK ABD series, are based on the ultrasound transmission principle to detect even smallest air bubbles in the bloodstream before they can reach the patient. If an air bubble is detected, an alarm is triggered informing the medical team to prevent life-threatening air embolisms.
Hybrid Flow-Bubble Sensor as Critical Safety Element
Bubble detectors and flow sensors are fundamental safety elements in heart-lung machines and ECMO systems. The SONOFLOW CO.56 Pro V2.0 sensor series combines both flow measurement and air bubble detection of liquids in a single compact unit.
By providing continuous real-time data, the hybrid sensor enables a rapid clinical response and helps to prevent complications, making the critical safety component an essential part of any extracorporeal life support system.
Why are flow meters and air bubble detectors important for ECMO / ECLS therapy
- Highest patient safety with constant monitoring of the patient’s vital parameters
- Accurate and reliable measurement of the blood flow rate to ensure adequate perfusion
- Fail-safe detection of air bubbles in the blood circulation to prevent life-threatening air embolism
Benefit from our flow meters and air bubble detectors!
- Clamp-on technology to guarantee strict hygiene and sterility preventing any contamination
- Ultrasonic measurement technology for sensitive non-invasive flow measurement and air bubble detection in the extracorporeal blood circulation
More Information about Ultrasonic Flow Meters
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