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General
Intraoperative Systems
Post Operative Systems

General

What is the difference between a 170 micron filter and the Free Lipid Wick?
The filter and the wick are similar in that they both remove an undesirable substance from the blood collected in an Autovac. The 170 micron filter is a screen material with a pore size of approximately 170 microns. This filter removes particles that are larger than 170 microns from the blood as it flows through it. (Note: A red Cell is approximately 8 microns in size.) This filter is a coarse particulate filter. It is intended to be used in conjunction with a microaggregate filter with a pore size of 20-40 microns, typically employed in the infusion set.

Is a Filter in the blood line necessary?
Yes. Use of microaggregate filter in the return of Autologous Whole Blood is a common practice.

How much time do I have to infuse?
The AABB Standards for Autologous Transfusion, 1st Edition indicates that collection and infusion of shed blood is not to exceed 6 hours.

Can the Hospital use the same blood line and filter they are currently using?
We recommend that a microaggregate filter be used when returning Autologous Whole Blood to a Patient. As long as the filter has a rating of 20-40 microns, It should be acceptable.

The infusion line should be compatible with the filter that the Hospital is using.

Are AUTOVAC® products latex free?
Yes, all of our products are latex free.

Can I use AUTOVAC® products after the expiration date?
Our sterile packing is labeled with an expiration date of 2 years after packaging. Our testing has shown that the contents of our AUTOVAC® packaging remain sterile for over one year beyond the date on the package. This excludes packaging that has been broken or punctured in any way. It is important that the user verify for himself the integrity of the package by thorough inspection of all surfaces and joints regardless of the labeled expiration.

Is there an expiration date on ACD-A?
ACD-A is labeled with a date of expiration. As it is a pharmaceutical, not a sterile product, it should not be used beyond the date of expiration.

 

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Intraoperative Systems

Is ACD-A required for the Intra-operative System?
We recommend the use of an Anticoagulant prior to collection of shed blood into an Autovac system. It is imperative that an Anticoagulant be used prior to the accumulation of blood products into an Intra-operative System. Even the use of systemic anticoagulation such as Heparin does not preclude the need to aspirate anticoagulant into the System.

My OR has wall vacuum units, can I use AUTOVAC IO™ Model 7904R?
No, we ask that you use 7904 in an environment that has regulated suction.

Why is AUTOVAC Intraoperative contraindicated for spinal procedures?
Spinal surgeries typically involve several factors that allow high volumes of free hemoglobin in the salvaged blood as a result of damaged or ruptured red blood cells. Therefore the blood is not of a desired quality to return to the patient. Cellular damage can result from contact with foreign surface and the drying of blood under surgical lights. The damaging factors, combined with surgical site debris make intraoperative salvage with AUTOVAC IO specifically contraindicated for spinal and other orthopedic procedures.

I can't seem to get enough suction on the Intraoperative system. What can I do to remedy this?
When using the Intra-operative system with integral regulator, Model 7904R, it is important to attach the vacuum port directly to a source of line suction. The integral regulator will control the vacuum to a safe level for Autotransfusion. On non-regulated models, attaching to a wall regulator such as our model 3700, set to 100 mm Hg. Should provide adequate suction.

Wall outlets need to be verified periodically that they are meeting JCAHO standards. Boehringer Laboratories produces instrumentation for verifying wall outlet performance.

The Intra-operative System contains a membrane shutoff. Care should be taken to keep the Intra-operative system vertical once collection has begun. Flow through the filter may become compromised if the unit is allowed to lie on its side.

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Post Operative Systems

Is ACD-A required for the Post-operative Orthopedic System?
We recommend the use of an Anticoagulant prior to collection of shed blood into an AUTOVAC® system. There is controversy on the use of such Anticoagulant in Post-operative Orthopedic Systems. It is believed that the blood shed in an Orthopedic application is defibrinated and therefore unable to clot. This is evidenced by the fact that many orthopedic drainage cases are clot free. The process whereby defibrination can take place is complex and relies upon controlled blood loss. In cases of rapid blood loss, the complete process of defibrination may not take place and clotting in the system can occur. Since it is not practical to predict which cases will occur at a high rate of loss, it is reasonable to recommend use of a citrate anticoagulant to ensure proper functioning of the system under all circumstances.

When can I start infusion from the AUTOVAC TC™?
Infusion can begin as soon as the minimum volume necessary to obtain an optimal anticoagulant ratio, typically 300 cc., has been collected. As is the case in all infusion procedures, it should be at the direction of a Physician.

A feature of the AUTOVAC TC™ is an anti-air embolism valve. Why is this important?
We use an air embolism valve in the TC because there is a potential source (remote) of air entry into the bag via the bulb. In the unlikely event that there develops 1) an air leak in the wound drain that 2) goes undetected by the nurse and 3) he/she continues to pump the bulb until the blood bag blows up like a balloon and 4) he/she fails to look up and notice that the blood is rapidly exiting the bag into the infusion line and air is about to be pumped in, the valve prevents the infusion of air.

The AABB standards require that hospitals and blood banks use infusion equipment that is designed to preclude air embolism.

Can the AUTOVAC TC™ be converted to a closed wound drain?
Yes, to convert to passive wound drain, squeeze the remaining blood from the bulb and clamp off the line from the bulb to the blood bag. Disconnect bulb from the line and cap the ends.

What is the warranty on the AUTOVAC TC™ System?
Boehringer warrants that the AUTOVAC TC™ product is in compliance with the Standards and Guidelines applicable to autologous whole blood collected perioperatively as promulgated in:

Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services, 16th Edition, American Association of Blood Banks

Circular of Information for the Use of Human Blood and Blood Components (AABB OP 1594 ARC1751), American Association of Blood Banks, American Red Cross, Council of Community Blood Centers, June 1998.

There is a new expansion of the indications for AUTOVAC TC and AUTOVAC 7926. What is it?
The FDA has granted approval of our request to indicate use of the AUTOVAC TC for salvaging blood intra-operatively through a surgically implanted drain. The surgeon may elect to collect salvaged blood during closing after he has implanted the drain.

This initial blood drainage can be significant and is otherwise wasted. The AUTOVAC unit travels easily with the patient for postoperative care.

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