Performance of infusion pumps during hyperbaric conditions

Area of Science:

• Hyperbaric Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• Infusion pumps are frequently utilized within hyperbaric chambers.
• Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of these devices under hyperbaric conditions is critical for patient safety.
• This study evaluates the performance of several common infusion pump models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the functional accuracy of volumetric and syringe infusion pumps under simulated hyperbaric conditions.
• To determine the suitability of specific infusion pump models for use in hyperbaric oxygen therapy and decompression protocols.

Main Methods:

• Tested four infusion pump models (Imed 965, Infutec 520, Easy-pump MZ-257, Graseby 3100) under varying hyperbaric pressures (up to 6 atmospheres absolute [ATA]).
• Evaluated pump accuracy at low (12-18 ml/h) and high (60-100 ml/h) infusion rates across different hyperbaric protocols.
• Examined two units of each pump model under simulated hyperbaric oxygen treatment and US Navy decompression tables.

Main Results:

• The Easy-pump MZ-257 and Graseby 3100 exhibited significant functional failures at hyperbaric pressures, rendering them unsuitable.
• The Imed 965 generally maintained acceptable volume deviations (<10%), but showed significant errors (20-40%) at low rates during compression.
• The Infutec 520 demonstrated consistent accuracy (within 10%) across all tested hyperbaric conditions and infusion rates.

Conclusions:

• Commercial infusion pumps display considerable variability in performance and accuracy when operated under hyperbaric conditions.
• Hyperbaric facility staff must rigorously evaluate infusion devices to ensure reliable performance and prevent inaccuracies during patient treatment.
• The Infutec 520 appears to be a suitable option for hyperbaric use, while others require careful consideration or avoidance.