Technology
» Hypothermia
» Blood and fluid warming
» Fluido® Technology

Hypothermia top
Hypothermia, an abnormal drop in body temperature, is a threat to human life. Particularly sick people run serious risks if their body temperature falls below 36ºC. The risk of hypothermia is particularly high at moments when they are vulnerable: before, during and after surgical interventions. Factors that can contribute to hypothermia include the duration of the operation, the location of the wound, the amount of blood loss, the surface area of the wound, the environmental temperature and the anaesthetic technique. The dangers that arise occur in practically all body systems, in particular the cardio-vascular system, the metabolic system, the central nervous system and the haematological and urogenital systems. The aim is to maintain patient temperature at normal levels at all times: between 36.5º and 37.5º C.


Blood and fluid warming :
There are three basic strategies for the prevention and treatment of mild per-operative hypothermia: minimising heat loss, cutaneous warming and internal warming. In order to minimise heat loss during general anaesthesia intravenous fluids are regularly warmed to body temperature prior to infusion; massive transfusions or refrigerator-temperature blood or IV fluids may induce hypothermia and life-threatening arrhythmias, especially when large amounts of fluids are infused. A variety of devices have been developed for rapid blood warming. Blood warmers generally use one of three warming technologies: dry heat, water bath, or countercurrent heat exchange. Warming I.V. fluids and blood is an important measure to prevent hypothermia. The Fluido® is an important tool in the fight against hypothermia.


Fluido® Technology top
The Fluido® warms blood and fluids directly, using infrared radiation. This technique warms the patient to the set temperature, quickly and safely. Infrared heating also requires little maintenance.

In the Fluido® unit infrared energy is used for heating the fluid inside the disposable cassette. By using infrared energy it is possible to heat the fluid directly without actually heating the disposable. Therefore the cassette is not a heat exchanger but merely a container to hold the fluid. The infrared energy passes through the container and is absorbed by the fluid, which as a consequence will heat up. The heating system uses standard halogen lamps to supply the infrared energy

Forced air warming :

Forced air warming is a widely used and clinically accepted intervention for the prevention of hypothermia and/or rewarming of the postoperative surgical patient. The principle of operation for forced air warming systems is an electrically powered unit consisting of a fan and heating element that propels warmed air via a flexible hose to a blanket draped over the patient. Some configurations allow for the patient to be placed on top of the blanket or surrounded by a warming tube. All of these devices are intended to distribute warmed air to the patient in a manner that
is safe and effective.
What is the difference between the white and the silver material? top
The Mistral-Air® silver blanket is not just a warming blanket! This blanket can also be used pre and post surgery. Even without air flowing through, the silver layer will reflect the patient s radiant body heat and insulate the patient from the outside temperature. An exclusive blanket: warming + insulation + radiation!


Can we put the patient on top of the blanket? top
Yes, this is possible, especially for the Neonatal and Paediatric blankets. Please make sure to turn around the blanket; blue side towards the skin!

Can we use the Mistral-Air blankets with other blowers? top
Yes, you can and this is approved and CE certified!

Which blankets are available? top
We can provide a full product range: Adult, Upper body, Half Upper body, Lower body, Paediatric, Neonatal as well as 2 types of Surgical Access blankets (both sterile and non-sterile). In adition there is a Silver and a White product line.

How often do we have to service the blower? top
The filter needs to be replaced every 500 hours (± 6 months).