Telemetry Research

Telemeter Removal and Preparation for Reuse

The following information only relates to Telemeters belonging to the 50, 53 and 54 series. For care and use of older devices please consult the original user manual or contact us (info@telemetryresearch.com) for further help

If the user takes care, the Telemeters are designed for reuse many times.

After implantation for a long period of time it is common to find the catheter, electrodes and Telemeter body covered in connective tissue. When removing the Telemeter take care to avoid damaging catheter, electrodes or Telemeter body. Never use a scalpel to cut tissue from around or above the Telemeter as it could damage the body. Extreme care should also be taken not to damage the pressure catheter and sensor tip. The Telemeter should be soaked in cleaning detergent (see below). After soaking, the sensing tip should be gently wiped with a soft cotton gauze pad or swab sticks to remove any remaining film or deposits. Care must be taken not to damage the sensing tip, do not pick up the catheter by the sensor tip or have any sharp objects near this tip. Taking care during removal and cleaning of the Telemeter and pressure catheter will mean that many recordings from a single Telemeter can be made before needing a replacement.

Cleaning

1. After removing the Telemeter from the animal, immediately soak it in a beaker or dish filled with fresh saline or distilled water. Keep soaking until you are ready to continue cleaning, DO NOT allow it to dry.

2. Soak in a recommended enzymatic cleaning solution (listed below). This is essential to prevent protein build-up on the pressure sensor. Without the use of an enzymatic cleaner, a protein film will form that can result in pressure signal drift.

3. After soaking in the enzymatic cleaning solution, thoroughly rinse the Telemeter with fresh distilled water or saline.

4. After rinsing is complete, gently dry the catheter as follows:

• Fold a soft tissue.
• Use gentle stroking to brush dry the catheter tip.
• Do not pull the catheter tip through a folded tissue.
• Do not allow the catheter to air dry on a tray, table, or countertop.

5. After the cleaning and drying procedure is finished:

• Return the Telemeter to its original plastic the tray.
• Protect the sensor area on the catheter tip by carefully placing it in the foam that came with the Telemeter.
• Slide the tray inside the box and now store the Telemeter in a cool, dry place until the next use.
• CAUTION: Delays in rinsing a Telemeter after removal will reduce cleaning effectiveness! Examine the pressure sensor active surface (diaphragm) for blood or materials not removed by cleaning. A dirty sensor may cause short-term baseline drift when used the next time.

Cleaning Agents

Tissue adhering to the catheter tips may be removed by enzymatic digestion. The Telemeter can be soaked in a cleaning detergent such as Pyroneg. An enzymatic detergent can help in removing biological tissue from the catheter (e.g. Terg-A-Zyme®, Haemo-Sol®). These are generally available from most hospital supply companies, they are generally labeled for use on fabrics or surgical equipment/instruments. The purpose of the detergent is to remove blood, serum proteins, and tissue debris from the surface of the Telemeter.

Terg-A-Zyme is an enzyme-active powdered detergent made by Alconox, Inc. To make a 1% solution, mix 10 grams of powder with 1 Liter of cold or warm water. Allow the Telemeter to soak for a minimum of 4 hours and a maximum of 72 hours in the solution. Rinse thoroughly, preferably with running water. Fisher Scientific is a company that supplies Terg-A-Zyme (catalog #50-821-785, www.fishersci.com) but please refer to the Alconox website for other companies (www.alconox.com).
Haemo-Sol N.S. is a non-sudsing, proteolytic powdered detergent made by Haemo-Sol, Inc (www.haemo-sol.com). To make 1 Liter of the solution, mix 5 grams of powder with 1 Liter of cold or warm water. Allow the Telemeter to soak for a minimum of 4 hours and a maximum of 72 hours in the solution. Rinse thoroughly, preferably with running water. Fisher Scientific is a company that supplies Haemo-Sol N.S. (catalog #23-721050). Telemetry Research recommends using the N.S. (non-sudsing) type.
Note: If checking the offset/calibration of the Telemeter, the conditions listed under Calibrations Values must be replicated, i.e. clean, hydrated, at 37°C and in the dark.

Please check the User Manual for further details.

Sterilization

Preventing infection is very important in collecting quality recordings of normal physiology and animal survival. It is important to make sure the implanted Telemeter is sterile before implantation.
Under no circumstances should the Telemeter be autoclaved or subjected to temperatures over 60°C as this will damage the Telemeter.
Do not use alcohol as a sterilizing agent. This will damage the Telemeter.

Disinfection/Sterilization

1. The Telemeter must be cleaned, rinsed and dried before disinfection. Soil, debris, proteins and water can interfere with the effectiveness of the following procedure. Note that some disinfectants have a limited usable life after activation or opening the container, failure to take notice of the warnings can inhibit the effectiveness of the disinfection process.
2. Prepare the disinfectant according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Soak the Telemeter in the disinfectant at the temperature and time intervals listed.
4. Rinse the Telemeter well in sterile pyrogen-free water (or sterile saline).
5. At least three separate rinses are required. Do not reuse any of the water used for rinsing since it will be contaminated with the disinfectant.
CAUTION: Use only the listed cleaners and disinfectants for the times/temperatures indicated.
CAUTION: DO NOT sterilize by autoclaving, radiation (gamma or e-beam), plasma, peroxide or formaldehyde vapour solutions.

Chemical Sterilants

Available from most hospital supply companies, chemical sterilants are considered cold sterilants and should be used for the sterilization of heat sensitive medical equipment such as Telemetry Research Telemeters. When used properly, chemical sterilants will destroy all viable forms of microbial life.
Glutaraldehyde may be used to sterilize the Telemeters. Glutaraldehyde must be diluted to 2% before use.
Check your local chemical supply company for availability. Do not use gluteraldehyde solutions containing surfactants (e.g. Cidex 7 or Cidex Plus 28 Day).

Rinse with Sterile Saline
The Telemeter should always be washed in sterile saline before implantation to remove all traces of the sterilant. Use it to temporarily store (< 48 hours) the Telemeter aseptically until surgical implantation.

Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilization
Sterilant used is Ethylene Oxide Gas. These sterilizers operate at a low temperature of 55°C and use chemicals as the sterilant. Items are packed and dry at the end of the sterilizing cycle. Telemeters are suitable for Ethylene Oxide sterilization as long as they are not subjected to temperatures above 60°C.

Customers are liable for product repair if recommended products and instructions are not used or followed. If there are any questions about a chemical or procedure please contact Telemetry Research (support@telemetryresearch.com).
Warning: Some examples of chemicals that will cause damage to Telemeters include, but are not limited to: alcohols, phenols, iodophors, and hypochlorite. Please confirm with Telemetry Research before using any product other than the approved products listed.
 

Please check the User Manual for further details.

WARNINGS
The Telemeter pressure catheter (if fitted) is shipped with foam over the catheter tip to protect the sensor area. The catheter tip should be kept in the foam when the Telemeter is being stored. To protect the Telemeter it should always be stored in the plastic tray and box provided between uses.

Precautions: Telemeters with Pressure Sensors
Proper handling of the Telemeter and pressure catheter is very important to avoid damage and extend the Telemeter life. Care must be taken not to damage the Telemeter body, catheter or electrodes. No repair is possible!

Use and Handling

• Inspect the catheter (using a microscope) for damage (cracking, kinks, etc.) before each use.
• Clean the Telemeter and sensor and electrodes immediately after each use (see Cleaning Instructions).
• Do not touch the pressure sensor area with sharp objects. Do not make sharp bends in the catheter.
• Do not apply direct pressure to the pressure sensor area with instruments such as forceps or tweezers.
• When handling the catheter with either fingertips or surgical instruments, always handle the catheter 5-10 mm proximal to the sensor area. The sensor area contains very fragile wires which may be damaged or broken if the catheter is gripped too close to the sensor or too tightly, be GENTLE.
• Always know the location of the catheter tip.
• Do not place heavy objects or metal instruments on top of the catheter or Telemeter.
• Take care not to cut the catheter during surgery or when removing the Telemeter from the animal.

DO:

Pressure Sensor

• Do Clean immediately after use
• Do Protect sensor tip when not in use

Catheter Body

• Do Clean immediately after use

After removal from animal

• Do Keep catheter and sensor wet until cleaned
• Do Clean thoroughly with approved enzymatic cleanser immediately after use

Disinfection or Sterilization

• Do Dry catheter before sterilizing with ethylene oxide
• Do Use a recommended cleaning agent

DO NOT:

Pressure Sensor

• Do NOT clean with stiff-bristled brush
• Do NOT clean with high pressure water jet
• Do NOT tap the sensor against a hard surface
• Do NOT apply excessive force to the sensor tip
• Do NOT expose to excessive pressure

Catheter Body

• Do NOT cut, crease, knot, fold, kink, or crush with forceps or clamps of any kind

After removal from animal

• Do NOT expose to alcohol, cresols, phenols, mercury compounds, hypochlorites, acetone, peroxide, silicone chlorine, xylenes, trichloroethylene, or freon
• Do NOT use ultrasonic cleaner

Disinfection or Sterilization

• Do NOT autoclave, irradiate (gamma/ebeam), plasma, peroxide or formaldehyde vapour solutions
• Do NOT use Sporox or Cidex PA solutions