FREEDOM60® Syringe Infusion System

Yes. There are no changes to syringe form, fit, function or raw material composition. The only change to the syringe are the scale markings on all 50/60 ml BD^® Syringes. Therefore, the new BD^® 50 ml syringe will maintain compatibility with any ancillary devices currently being used for either preparation or administration of medications (e.g., syringe pumps, robotic filling equipment, etc.) This includes the FREEDOM60^® Syringe Driver and Infusion System.

First, verify that your tubing is the right flow rate. Then, check that the pump winds properly and makes a distinctive ‘whirr’ noise when turned on – this means the pump is working properly. Finally, note the time the infusion starts and watch that the syringe plunger moves in accordance with your estimated infusion time. If there is any doubt, please talk to your healthcare provider.

You can clean the surface of the pump with warm water and detergent or use any surface disinfectant compatible with acetyl-butyl-styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) plastics, such as household bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid the use of alcohol or alcohol-containing compounds, as these tend to make ABS plastic brittle. Wipe again with clean water to rinse. The clear view syringe shield is not a removable safety feature, as it is an essential part of the pump, but it may be cleaned with a bottlebrush if absolutely necessary.

Yes. The FREEDOM60^® is so safe and easy to use it can even be used by children. In fact, it’s very first users were children with cystic fibrosis. Because the pump is lightweight, durable, and easy to use they found it ideal. They loved the portability and were happy to be out of a hospital environment.

The FREEDOM60^® is only indicated for use with the Becton Dickinson & Co. BD^® Luer-Lok^® 50 ml, previously labeled 60 ml, syringe (US Reference number 309653; EU Reference number 300865).

If a dose is larger than 50 ml, you can load an additional BD^® 50 ml syringe using the same tubing and needle set. Follow your healthcare provider’s protocol for swapping out the syringe. For smaller volumes, the FREEDOM60^® will adjust to whatever amount is contained in the syringe. The syringe can be filled anywhere from a full 50 ml to as little as 1ml. You can also try our FreedomEdge^®, which accommodates both 20 and 30 ml syringes.

Yes. The FREEDOM60^® can be used to administer many intravenous and subcutaneous medications. Some common questions we receive is if we can administer Vancomycin or Desferal. Many infusion centers are using Vancomycin up to 1.5 grams, delivering in 1:20 or 2:00 hours (45ml/hr and 30ml/hr sets, respectively) in a PICC or central line. For Desferal, the FREEDOM60^® can deliver from 500mg to 4,000+mg in a variety of time frames. The advantage of the FREEDOM60^®is its constant pressure mechanism, so the rate will not dramatically change during an infusion. Ask for clinical studies.

Nothing. The wind-up knob is disengaged while the pump is in the on position. There is no effect whatsoever by turning the knob in either direction.

The two main factors are the diameter of the tubing and the viscosity of the fluid. Immune Globulin, for example, will flow much slower than an antibiotic. Since temperature also affects the viscosity of fluids, when the temperature is cold, the flow slows down and when the temperature is warm, the flow rate increases. Tubing length and the efficiency of the needle set also can influence flow rate. There are also some effects due to differences in syringes, but these generally tend to be relatively minor.

There is a slide clamp on the tubing set that will stop the flow immediately. If the pump is turned off without using the slide clamp, some flow will continue until pressure from the black tab is removed by winding the knob clockwise to relieve all pressure in the syringe.

Precision Flow Rate Tubing™ uses a custom luer disc connector which locks onto the syringe. If an attempt is made to use tubing without a special connector, the pump will not allow the syringe to be properly seated. This is an important safety feature which helps ensure the use of flow control tubing designed for the performance profile of the FREEDOM60^®. A standard bore IV set would not have the special luer disc connector. Therefore, if you tried to use a syringe hooked up to a standard bore IV set, the FREEDOM60^® pump would reject the syringe and tubing. Another benefit of the luer disc is that, if the tubing is placed on a surface, it prevents connector contact and the resulting contamination.

The FREEDOM60^® is powered by a negator motor, which is a specially designed spring similar to the ones used to drive clocks and pocket-watches. The negator motor creates a constant, safe pressure on the syringe. The user winds up the negator spring to reset the pump for each infusion.

Check to make certain there is no visible damage to the pump. Turn the pump on without the syringe and see if it runs. Let it run to the end of its cycle and listen for the clicking sound. If you hear that sound, the pump is usable. If submerged, or if the pump shows clear signs of abuse, we recommend that the pump be replaced. If needed, the pump can be returned to the factory for overhaul/refurbishment.

Not a problem. Unlike electronic devices, the FREEDOM60^® holds full pressure on the syringe even after the infusion is over. The natural venous blood pressure is less than 0.5psi and is no match for the 13.5psi rating of the pump. In other words, no blood can backflow into the line to cause the line to clot. After the patient is awake, they can flush the line normally and should have no problem with clotted lines.

Yes. It is not sensitive to ambient pressures and makes an ideal patient transport IV pump.

We recommend that the patient monitor use by taking note of the time the infusion started and verifying the rate of the tubing set being used. For example, if the patient is infusing a non-viscous medication (such as an antibiotic) and using the F120 set, then the plunger will move 10ml’s in five minutes, meaning that a full 60ml syringe will take 30 minutes to administer. If the plunger does not move accordingly, it is time to check on the infusion.

That is the pump looking for the syringe. The pump is designed to search for the syringe, which could be filled to any level, down to 1ml if you wanted. Once the pump finds the syringe plunger it makes a clicking sound and is then totally silent for the entire infusion. During normal flow, the pump makes no noise whatsoever.