TECHNICAL REPORT ON BIPRESS INFUSOR
Land and Air Ambulance tested this device on the 23rd of September 1994 in a Kingair turboprop and again on the 3rd of November 1994 in a Lear 35. These vehicles both suffered from an inability to produce enough vertical clearance to provide an adequate hydrostatic pressure to run infusions passively. The pressure infuser allowed drips to run without hydrostatic pressure. Little problems resulted from the cabin pressurisation, which was in each case around 6,500 feet pressure equivalent. During descent the reservoir air-pressure fell, as was predictable, and needed re- pumping. Thus the device appears safe to use in the aviation environment.
Specific Problems
Manual The over-all layout of the manual is quite good, as it mimics the layout of the device itself. It needs to be laminated. The main problem is that it has been translated from French but has not been re- written. There is no reason to keep French expressions such as “verticalisateur” when “vertical clamp” or “drip-chamber mount” could be used. I do not like the instructions, which are made needlessly complicated by use of part-numbers. The whole pressure assembly “block 4” is far too complex. The bled valves should be labelled A and B and the side valve, called “insulating centre punch” also needs re-labelling as “isolator”. I cannot make the top regulator work. The parts list should be included elsewhere, as it clutters up the instructions. The diagrams showing the “verticulisateur” are bad and need removing or re-drawing. The Device Is well made and rugged enough, although the strap mechanism is complicated. I do not like the pressure regulator on top of block 4, and I don’t understand its use. The component 48 is not nearly strong enough and lacks an end-stop, so it can completely fall out and be lost. The infusion line supplied BP950S is not mentioned in the manual, and the length between the bottom of the chamber and the end of the line is too short, leaving the device balanced precariously on the patient’s chest. Market Land ambulances, casualty departments, some wards, air ambulances Advice You will only get this accepted if the accompanying manual is re-written. I am not surprised that the LAS ambulance-men found it too complex.