iWorX BP-100, BP-102 Technical Note

BP-100/102 Intravascular Blood Pressure
Transducer

Technical

Note

BP-100/102

iWorx Systems, Inc.

www.iworx.com

LabScribe is a trademark of

iWorx Systems, Inc.

©2015 iWorx Systems, Inc.

BP-102

Overview

The BP-100/102 Intravascular Blood Pressure Transducer is a clinical blood
pressure transducer modified for use with digital recording equipment in research
applications. It consists of an active element and a separate (included) molded 5 ft.
extension cable. Although the elements are rugged and will stand up to repeated
use, they are not permanent. Replacement elements can be purchased directly
from iWorx Systems, Inc.

The BP-102 integrates a 3cc flush device and stopcock.

The sensor employed in this blood pressure (BP) transducer, and all disposable BP
transducers, is a strain gauge. The pressure output of the gauge is linear. This
makes transducer calibration very straightforward.

BP-100/102 Intravascular Blood Pressure
Transducer

On the BP-100, the transducer element is open at both ends. One end is typically
connected to a blood vessel with a piece of heparinized PE tubing. The other end
of the element is connected through a 3-way stopcock to a syringe which is used
for flushing the transducer and the lines. The BP-102 has a pinch valve on one end
for flushing the device; the blood vessel tubing should be connected to the 3-way
stopcock on the other end, To accurately report pressure, these transducers must
be completely filled with fluid. Bubbles in the transducer or the lines will produce
inaccurate results.

How to Use the BP-100/102

Equipment Setup

1) Plug the connector of a DIN8 extension cable into one of the DIN8 transducer
inputs of an iWorx data acquisition unit or amplifier. Plug the DIN8 connector of
the BP-100/102 into the DIN8 extension cable.

2) Attach the cannula from the subject's artery to either end of the BP-100 or to
the 3-way stopcock on the BP-102. The cannula, stopcock, and transducer
should be filled with heparinized saline solution to prevent clotting.

iWorx Systems, Inc.

www.iworx.com

Start the Software

When using an iWorx data acquisition system with its own DIN8 transducer inputs,
or an iWorx amplifier like the ETH-256 or the ETH-401, coupled to an iWorx data
acquisition device:

1) Open LabScribe by double-clicking on the desktop shortcut.

2) When the program opens, select Preferences from the Edit menu (or from the

LabScribe menu on a Macintosh). Click on the Channel button. In the
Channel preferences dialog, name the channel to which the BP-100/102, or

the amplifier supporting the BP-100/102, is connected. Set the
Mode/Function for this channel to DIN8. Set the sampling rate and display
time. Click OK.

Calibration

There are two ways to calibrate the BP-100/102.

Method 1: Manometer Calibration

1) Turn the valve of the 3-way stopcock so that the line going to the animal is
closed.

2) Connect a manometer to the open port on the 3-way stopcock.

3) Check that the pressure on the manometer is 0 (zero) mmHg. Start recording.

4) Pressurize the manometer to 100 mmHg and adjust the range displayed on the
data acquisition device so that the change in the signal from 0 to 100 mmHg
can be seen easily.

5) Mark the record to indicate 100mmHg.