Specialist Biomed Test Technology Ensures Critical Performance of AEDs

Advanced biomedical test technology is helping to ensure that essential life saving equipment is maintained in full working order so that it performs reliably during those vital emergency situations in which it is needed.

The specialist biomed engineering team at the busy Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Indiana is using a Rigel UniPulse 400 defibrillator analyzer for the planned maintenance and troubleshooting testing of the 55 defibrillators located around its facilities.

The UniPulse 400 is specifically designed to comprehensively test all defibrillators accurately and efficiently. The lightweight, battery powered and portable unit is capable of analyzing all monophasic, biphasic, standard, and pulsating waveforms and is also equipped with a special pacer function for comprehensive testing of defibrillator functionality.

In previous years both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK have highlighted the importance of the life saving treatment provided by automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and the need to ensure against unexpected component failure or other technical problems that might affect their reliability.

Brian Pierce, Midtown Hospital Biomed Team Lead, recognizes the essential role that AEDs play and the critical need for them to perform efficiently and accurately when needed.

He said: “We never know how often or when a defibrillator will be needed, so it is very important that when they are required, they function properly.

“In this respect, the UniPulse 400 has all the common features needed to perform full preventative maintenance on a defibrillator. As well as being lightweight and easily carried around the hospital by our technicians, the crisp color display and simplicity of use means new staff members can quickly learn how to use it.

“An analyzer is no good to us if we cannot rely on its proper operation and accuracy. I feel the UniPulse 400 is very durable and enables us to carry out important testing with confidence.”

The Rigel UniPulse 400 incorporates advanced measurement technology, including dedicated fast keys and automatic programs to enable biomed test engineers to select the relevant test function in seconds.

The large internal memory and on-board results storage also helps to reduce test time and helps hospital teams work towards automated database record keeping systems.

The UniPulse 400 forms part of the comprehensive Rigel Medical range of world class biomedical testing solutions for healthcare environments.

As well as the UniPulse400, other Rigel equipment used by the biomed team at the Deaconess Midtown Hospital includes a Uni-Therm electrosurgical analyzer and SafeTest 50 and 288 electromedical equipment safety analyzers.