Primus IE and accessories communicate via radio

Lübeck – The Primus Infinity Empowered (IE) anesthesia machine detects whether its ventilation hose "Infinity ID breathing circuit" has been connected. A warning is issued if the CO2 absorber "Infinity ID CLIC absorber" is not correctly engaged with the machine, and the replacement time for the new watertrap "Infinity ID WaterLock 2" is indicated automatically. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is used for the wireless transfer of information between the accessories and the anesthesia machine. Thus the wireless technology simplifies clinical workflows. In addition, an RFID ventilation hose can also store specific ventilation settings. When moving the hose to another RFID-enabled Dräger anesthesia machine, these settings can automatically be transferred. The new RFID accessories are available for Primus IE equipment of software version 4.20 or higher.

The monitor of the Primus IE indicates immediately if, for example, the RFID chip equipped ventilation hose is incompatible with the equipment configuration or needs to be replaced according to schedule. Thanks to the minute radio chip in the accessory and a miniature aerial fitted to the Primus IE, the hose and the medical equipment communicate without interruption. The aerial reads out the data stored on the radio chip. The equipment software then processes this data and converts it into information that can be understood by the user. The very low 200 milliwatt output of the RFID systems is fully sufficient for the distance of only a few centimeters between the accessory and the receiver in the medical device. The existing regulations for electric medical equipment and the relevant radio standards are therefore observed without difficulty.

Warning signals help with correct operation

The regular replacement of equipment components is often expensive because lists might have to be maintained and labels checked. In the new water trap Infinity ID WaterLock 2 this function is now carried out by a radio chip that indicates the time when the accessory requires replacement. The new Infinity ID CLIC absorber also features a smart chip. The equipment warns immediately if e.g. the CO2 absorber is not connected properly to the equipment during anesthesia. However, the opportunities for the use of RFID do not stop there: If a patient is e.g. moved during introduction from one Primus IE to a different Primus IE in the operating theater, the ventilation settings can be transferred with the aid of the RFID ventilation hose: After reconnection the new equipment automatically provides the settings for confirmation, making time-consuming new configurations obsolete.

Software processes RFID signals

In order to be able to convert the RFID data of the new Infinity ID accessory components into information on the monitor, the new software 4.20 is required. Users of existing Primus IE equipment can also use all the new RFID functions of the Primus IE after the free software has been installed.