Issue: I am seeing air bubbles in the catheter tip

Example of PA-C10 with air bubble

SYMPTOMS

• Visually see bubbles in the catheter tip
• Data for pressure measurements are railed negative or Positive (indicative of blown sensor & can't be reused)

SOLUTIONS

Handle the devices with care to ensure to not blow the sensor

Please see the following article about appropriate handling of the blood pressure implants to prevent the user from blowing the sensor:

Preventing Damaged Sensors in Blood Pressure Implants

Appropriate regel technique

First, make sure you are regelling the catheter tips appropriately, please see the following articles:

VIDEO: Guidelines for the Regel of Mouse-sized Catheters

VIDEO: Guidelines for the Regel of Small Animal Catheters

Guidelines for the Regel of the PhysioTel and PhysioTel Digital Large Animal Devices

Example of HD-X11 with air bubble in catheter tip

Appropriate re-hydration of the catheter tip

The surgical manuals cover the rehydration of the catheter tip.  Please ensure that the catheter tip is left on during rehydration.  It is recommended for small animal blood pressure implant to hydrate at room temperature.  

Link to Surgical Manual section: Surgical Manuals, Videos, & Notes

Appropriate storage of regel syringes

It is important to store regel syringes with the tip down.  Other article to review are the following: 

What is the shelf-life of the DSI Regel Syringe?

Can I re-sterilize my re-gel syringe(s)?

Example Images

PTD-M11 (with radiopaque marker band) Catheter with Blood & Air Bubbles in Catheter Tip

PTD-L21 (with LV collar) Catheter with Air bubbles