BDDF00001 Issue 5
52/56
Alaris™ Syringe Pumps
Trumpet Curves and Start-up Curves
Trumpet Curves and Start-up Curves
In this Pump, as with all infusion systems, the action of the pumping mechanism and variations in individual syringes cause short-term
fluctuations in rate accuracy .
The following curves show typical performance of the system in two ways: 1) the delay in onset of fluid flow when infusion commences
(start-up curves), and 2) the accuracy of fluid delivery over various time periods is measured (trumpet curves) .
The start-up curves represent continuous flow versus operating time from the start of the infusion . They exhibit the delay in onset of
delivery due to mechanical compliance and provide a visual representation of uniformity . Trumpet curves are derived from the second
hour of this data . Tests performed per
EN/IEC60601-2-24:1998 standard
.
Trumpet curves are named for their characteristic shape . They display discrete data averaged over particular time periods or
observation
windows
, not continuous data versus operating time . Over long observation windows, short term fluctuations have little effect on
accuracy as represented by the flat part of the curve . As the observation window is reduced, short term fluctuations have greater effects
as represented by the
mouth
of the trumpet .
Knowledge of system accuracy over various observation windows may be of interest when certain drugs are being administered . Short
term fluctuations in rate accuracy may have clinical impact depending on the half-life of the drug being infused, therefore the clinical
effect cannot be determined from the trumpet curves alone .
w
Start-up and trumpet curves may not be indicative of operation under negative pressure.
Differences in factors such as size and plunger force in recognised syringes produced by other manufacturers can cause
variations in accuracy and trumpet curves as compared to those represented. Additional curves for recognised syringes are
available upon written request.
For applications where flow uniformity is a concern, rates of 1.0ml/h or above are recommended.
Alaris CC Syringe Pump and Alaris CC Guardrails Syringe Pump
Start-up Trend . BD Plastipak 5ml @ 0 .1ml/h
Trumpet Curve . BD Plastipak 5ml @ 0 .1ml/h
Ra
te (ml/h)
0.0
0.1
0.2
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Er
ror (%)
-30.0
-20.0
-10.0
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Time (mins)
Observation Window (mins)
Maximum Error
Minimum Error
Linear Mean = -4 .0%
Start-up Trend . BD Plastipak 50 ml @ 1 .0 ml/h
Trumpet Curve . BD Plastipak 50 ml @ 1 .0 ml/h
Ra
te (ml/h)
Er
ror (%)
Time (mins)
Observation Window (mins)
Maximum Error
Minimum Error
Linear Mean = -1 .8%
Start-up Trend . BD Plastipak 50 ml @ 5 .0 ml/h
Trumpet Curve . BD Plastipak 50 ml @ 5 .0 ml/h
Ra
te (ml/h)
Er
ror (%)
Time (mins)
Observation Window (mins)
Maximum Error
Minimum Error
Linear Mean = -0 .1%
