DEFIBRILLATOR - PART 1

Hi friends!!!

Defibrillator is a important life saving device, therefore it is important for every healthcare professionals to know in details about the defibrillator machine.

Let’s get into the topic with a defibrillator definition.

WHY DEFIBRILLATOR?

Defibrillator is an electronic device used to deliver electric shock to the patients to restore the rhythm of the heart.

The basic function of the heart is to pump the blood and there is a term called VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION which means abnormal heart rhythm where the ventricles of the heart quiver instead of pumping the blood normally. So to avoid this issue electric shock is given using defibrillator machine.

Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike 

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT OF DEFIBRILLATOR?

The defibrillator machine works based on the principle of charging and discharging of the capacitor. There are two modules in defibrillator machine, charging module and discharging module.

Charging module consists of Battery, DC to AC converter, Step up transformer, AC to DC convertor, Switches A & B and a Capacitor as shown in the image below.

Battery is used because a defibrillator machine needs to be a portable device and in order to have a charge large enough for fibrillation capacitor needs to be charged with a very high voltage. So a step up transformer is used.

Since a step up transformer will accept only AC Current as input, a DC to AC converter is used between battery and transformer. Capacitor accepts only DC input, so AC to DC converter is used Switches A and B are used to provide a path for charging the capacitor.

Let’s see how capacitor charges. Capacitor consists of two metal plates close to each other. When these plates contain equal amount of positive and negative charged couples, they are said to have NO CHARGE.

When the terminals of capacitor are connected to a battery, negative charge from Plate B moves towards Plate A. Now plate A has excess of single negative charges and plate B has excess of single positive charges. So there is a attraction between the excess positive and negative charges.

Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike 

This process of making one plate positively charged and other plate negatively charged is called charging the capacitor. During this entire process switches A & B are turned ON to provide path for charges to flow.

Discharging module is connected to heart through switches 1, 2, 3, 4 to support the discharging function in both forward direction & reverse direction as shown in the image below.

During discharge of defibrillator machine both switches A & B are turned OFF. The terminals of capacitor are connected to the heart with the use of Conductive Pads.

In Forward Direction switches 1 and 4 of defibrillator machine are turned ON to provide the path for charges to flow as shown in the image below.

In Reverse Direction switches 2 and 3 are turned ON to provide the path for charges to flow as shown in the image below.

Now I hope you have acquired some knowledge about defibrillator machine.  We will discuss more about types of defibrillator machine in PART-2.

Check out for this blog!!

DEFIBRILLATOR - PART 2

https://biomedicalviews.blogspot.com/2020/06/defibrillator-part-2.html?m=1

DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW THIS BLOG PAGE

DROP YOUR MAIL ID TO GET IMMEDIATE UPDATES

If you find this blog post knowledgeable, comment & share it with a friend! 

 

 

INFRARED THERMOMETER

Hi friends!!!

Have you ever wondered how infrared thermometer works without body contact?

Let’s find out the answer.

WHY INFRARED THERMOMETER?

The infrared thermometer are used to measure temperature from a distance. It is used in circumstances where the object is very fragile and dangerous to be near.

Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike

WHAT KIND OF TECHNOLOGY IS USED?

The infrared thermometer works based on a phenomenon called black body radiation. Anything at a temperature above absolute zero has molecules inside of it moving around.

If the temperature is high, the molecules moves faster. While moving, the molecules emit infrared radiation. As they get hotter, they even start to emit visible light.

Example:  Heated metal can glow red or even white.

Thus infrared thermometer detect and measure this radiation.

HOW INFRARED THERMOMETER WORKS?

The infrared thermometer use a lens to focus infrared light from one object onto a detector called a thermopile. The thermopile absorbs the infrared radiation and turns it into heat.

If the infrared energy is more, thermopile gets hotter. This heat is turned into electricity. The electricity is sent to a detector, which uses it to determine the temperature of whatever the thermometer is pointed at. 

Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF INFRARED THERMOMETERS?

Spot infrared thermometer:  It  measures the temperature at a spot on a surface.

Infrared scanning systems:  These devices scan a larger area as the spot thermometer points at a rotating mirror.

Infrared thermal imaging cameras:  These cameras are  used for measuring temperature at many points over a relatively large area to create a two-dimensional image called a thermo gram.

WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT FEATURES TO LOOK OUT?

Well features really differ for different brands. Let’s look at the most basic features of  infrared thermometer .

Measurement range: -60 to 500°C.

Operating range: 0 to 50°C.

Accuracy: ±1°C.

Response time: 1 Second

Distance: Spot: 12:1

Battery life: Between 140 to 180 hrs continuous use.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER USES?

Infrared thermometers can also be used as Ear thermometers. The ear drum has about the same temperature as inside of the body, but it is very sensitive. Touching the ear drum could damage it, so an  infrared thermometer measures its temperature from an inch distance.

The infrared thermometer is also used by fire fighters to detect hot spots where the fire is burning fiercely. 

It can also be used in manufacturing to control the damage of temperature sensitive electronic components.

Now I hope you have acquired some knowledge about  infrared thermometer.  We will discuss more about medical devices in future blogs.

Check out for this blog!!

https://biomedicalviews.blogspot.com/2020/05/covid-19-alert-are-we-using-right-mask.html?m=1

DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW THIS BLOG PAGE

DROP YOUR MAIL ID TO GET IMMEDIATE UPDATES

If you find this blog post knowledgeable, comment & share it with a friend! 

COVID-19 ALERT: ARE WE USING THE RIGHT MASK?

Hi friends!!!

We all know the importance of wearing masks in current COVID-19 pandemic.

Does the masks we wear really protect us from corona virus? 

Are we wearing the right mask?

Let’s find out the answer.

WHY DO WE NEED MASK?

Let’s take an example from current COVID- 19 situation. US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended masks for public. 

A significant portion of individuals with corona virus lack symptoms (asymptomatic). This means that virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. . Example: speaking, coughing and sneezing. To avoid this scenario we need to use mask.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MASKS?

Let’s take a look at the different types of masks available in market & their contribution in fighting the pandemic. 

SURGICAL MASK

Surgical masks are designed to protect the environment from wearer. Regular surgical masks filters out 65% of the particles.

They fit loosely across your nose and mouth. These masks protect against the large droplets that come from sick persons cough or sneeze. But they cannot block tiniest particles. It is a one-time mask.

Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike

RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE DEVICE (N95)

In US and many other countries, there are three grades of respiratory masks which are supposed to protect the wearer from the environment. It includes N90, N95 and N99 masks.

N90 mask offers aerosol filtration of atleast 80% of particles and maximum 22% leakage to the inside. It is mainly used as a  dust mask.

N95 is a respiratory protective device supposed to protect the wearer from the environment. It filters out 95% of very fine (0.3 micron) airborne particles and maximum 8% leakage to the inside. They are proven to be effective against corona virus.

N99 masks offers minimum filtration rate of 99% and maximum 2% leakage to the inside, they protect against very fine particles such as asbestos. It is the best mask to protect against corona virus.

They fit tightly around your face. Mask should be fitted correctly in order to perform its function.

Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike

HOME MADE MASK

Home-made masks are cloth masks made of two layers of heavy, tightly woven cotton material with a thread count of 180. It is quiet effective in protecting people from asymptomatic carriers.

A series of layers of fabric makes more places for virus particles to stick instead of going out into the air. It is best for people who don’t work in healthcare.

Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike

NOTE: WHO says we should not touch the front of the mask instead we can take it off by using the ear bands at the back of the head.

Now I hope you have acquired some knowledge about different kinds of masks available to fight COVID-19 pandemic.

CHECK OUT FOR MY BLOG ABOUT INFUSION PUMP:

https://biomedicalviews.blogspot.com/2020/05/hi-friends-in-this-blog-we-are-going-to.html?m=1

Please do support and follow this blog page.

If you find this blog page knowledgeable…. comment and share it with a friend. 

Everything You Need To Know About Infusion Pump

Hi friends !!!

In this blog we are going to see about infusion pump.

Read till the end to collect important information. Let’s get into the topic

WHY INFUSION PUMPS?

The infusion pump is a medical device used to deliver fluids such as, nutrients and medications into patient’s body in a controlled manner.

Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike

WHAT KIND OF TECHNOLOGY IS USED?

Peristaltic pumping mechanism is used in infusion pump. It operates by using a sequence of pump strokes.

For each motor rotation, tubing is squeezed and released, thereby pushing fluid towards the patient in a series of evenly spaced micro boluses while prohibiting back flow.

In infusion pump, Speed and Volume of the fluid flow is decided by factors like roller size and number of rollers.

Peristaltic pumping mechanism can be linear or curvilinear,

LINEAR PERISTALTIC MECHANISM

Image courtesy: Wikipedia

Licensed under: CC Share Alike

CURVILINEAR PERISTALTIC MECHANISM

Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike

INFUSION MODE

There are two modes in infusion pump.

Drop mode - Drop/min

Volume mode - ml/hr

IMPORTANT FEATURES TO LOOK OUT 

Well if you are handling infusion pump or looking to buy infusion pump, these are the features to look out for.

1.      Pumping mechanism of infusion pump

2.      Compatibility of IV sets

3.      Flow rate

4.      Volume To Be Infused ( VTBI )

5.      Accuracy

6.      Keep Vein Open Rate ( KVO )

7.      Purge, Bolus, Occlusion

8.      Infusion Mode

9.  Alarms - Occlusion, air in line, door open, end programs, motor malfunction, system malfunction, remainder alarm, low battery, AC power off, real time infused volume

TROUBLE SHOOTING TIPS

Failure of Air in Tube Alarm:

1.      Clean the bubble sensor surface with a piece alcohol.

2.      Replace the bubble sensor.

3.      Change the brand of IV set.

Failure of Occlusion Alarm:

1.      Check if there is any stuff in the IV set.

2.      Test the pressure sensor.

Free flow of fluid:

1.      Check the clamp & adjust it.

2.      Adjust the infusion pump pressure to suitable range.

Bad precision:

1.      Recalibrate.

2.      Replace the IV set.

Now I hope you have acquired some knowledge about infusion pump. We will discuss more about medical devices in future blogs.

Check out for this !!

Everything You Need To Know About Ventilator

https://biomedicalviews.blogspot.com/2020/05/everything-you-need-to-know-about.html?m=1

DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW THIS BLOG PAGE

DROP YOUR MAIL ID TO GET IMMEDIATE UPDATES

If you find this blog post knowledgeable, comment & share it with a friend! 

   

Everything You Need To Know About Ventilator

Hi friends!

I'm a Biomedical Engineer.

This is my first blog. And my future blogs will be related to Biomedical Engineering.

Let's start our journey with an important medical device called ventilator.

VENTILATOR

The ventilator is an important life saving equipment. Therefore it is important for every healthcare professional to know in detail  about ventilator. In this blog we are going to see important concepts about ventilator. Lets get into the topic.

Image courtesy: Wikimedia commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike 

INTRODUCTION

The ventilator is a machine which is designed mechanically to move breathable air into and out of the lungs, to provide mechanism of breathing for a patient who is not able to breathe sufficiently.

CONCEPT OF VENTILATOR SYSTEM

Image courtesy: Wikimedia commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike 

1. Inspiratory valve opens & expiratory valve closes. Here circuit pressure is greater than lung pressure. So gas is pushed into the lungs, as a result lung inflates.

Image courtesy: Wikimedia commons

Licensed under: CC Share Alike 

2. Expiratory valve opens & inspiratory valve closes.  Here circuit pressure drops below the pressure of lungs. So gas is pushed out of the lungs, as a result lung shrinks.

TYPES OF VENTILATOR

POSITIVE PRESSURE VENTILATOR

1. The positive pressure ventilator works by increasing the patients airway pressure through endotracheal tube.

2. Positive pressure allows the air to flow inside the airway until the ventilator air is terminated.

3. Then the pressure drops to 0 and elastic coil of lungs pushes the breathe out through passive exhalation.

NEGATIVE PRESSURE VENTILATOR

Example: Iron Lung

1. In negative pressure ventilator, Pressure inside the tank is mechanically withdrawn to create a vacuum inside the tank causing the expansion of lungs results in negative pressure inside the lungs and increases the flow of ambient air into the lungs.

2. Once the vacuum inside the tank is released, pressure inside the tank matches the ambient air pressure. 

3. The elastic coil of lung leads to passive exhalation.

HIGH FREQUENCY VENTILATOR

1. The high frequency ventilation is a form of mechanical ventilation which combines, high respiratory rates greater than 60 breathes per minute with tidal volume smaller than volume of dead space.

2. In high frequency ventilation, gas exchange is optimized by utilizing smaller tidal volumes with minimal alveolar stretch. 

Now I hope you have acquired some knowledge about ventilator.  We will discuss more about medical devices in future blogs.

If you find this blog post knowledgeable, share it with a friend!