Controlled Infusion of Radiopharmaceutical Agent Using a Peristaltic Pump

Begin with a peristaltic infusion system assembled for radiopharmaceutical delivery.

The pump is loaded with an infusion cassette.

The cassette’s line A is connected to a saline bag and line B to a saline-purged spinal needle.

Connect the pump’s output tubing to the patient’s catheter.

Next, position a lead-shielded barrier in front of the pump to reduce radiation exposure to the operator.

Place a lead container holding the radiopharmaceutical vial on the barrier’s tray and remove its cap.

Disinfect the vial septum. Insert a venting filter, ensuring its tip remains above the liquid to prevent vacuum formation.

Then, insert the spinal needle from line B into the septum, directing the tip to the bottom of the vial.

Start the infusion. The pump draws saline through line A and radiopharmaceutical through line B and delivers them to the patient in a controlled manner.

To begin, insert the infusion set spike into the inlet of the 250 milliliter sodium chloride 0.9 percent bag. Apply gentle pressure to fill the infusion chamber three-quarters full.

Turn the perfusion set cassette upside down, declamp the infusion set, and slightly unscrew the flow regulator. As soon as the first drops of saline enter the chamber, turn the perfusion set cassette to its original position.

Now, tap line A to remove air bubbles and press the flow regulator to top the purge.

Then, switch on the pump with the on-off button and lift the lever to open the pump compartment. Hold the cassette by the flow regulator grip, position it in the compartment flap slots, and slide it in.

Next, pull down the lever to close the compartment flap. Closing the compartment presses the cassette flow regulator. Hold line A coming out of the cassette using the guide above the compartment.

Then, connect the closed system transfer valve to the extension kit line. Remove the stylet from the 19-gauge spinal needle, and screw it onto the free luer lock adapter from the 2-way extension kit set. Keep the needle in its protective packaging.

Now, connect a sterile 10-milliliter saline syringe to the straight infusion connector on the extension line and connect the luer lock end of the extension line to the line B valve.

Press and hold the corresponding button on the pump to begin the back-priming of line B until saline flows through the 19-gauge spinal needle. Purge the tubing with approximately 5 milliliters of 0.9 percent sodium chloride and keep the sterile saline syringe attached to the straight infusion connector.

For infusion initiation, connect the end of line A, which has a luer lock connector, to the patient’s catheter valve. Move the mobile shielded screen in line with the pump and patient to provide radiation protection.

Place the shielded container holding the TRT vial onto the inclined vial stand on the tray of the shielded paravent. Remove the cap from the container, and using forceps, apply an alcohol-soaked compress to disinfect the septum of the TRT vial. Insert the venting filter into the septum, ensuring the needle does not touch the liquid.

Insert the 19-gauge spinal needle connected to line B into the septum of the TRT vial and finally, press the green button on the pump to start the infusion in simultaneous mode.