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B. Braun Medical in Bethlehem won approval this week from the FDA to modify its infusion pumps to treat coronavirus patients on respirators.
Dr. Wes Cetnarowski, the company’s chief medical officer, says the pumps used in hospitals to push intravenous fluids into a patient can be adjusted.
“Using our infusion pump to hold the medication with nebulizers can provide long, steady, controlled, accurate delivery of this critical medication to patients.”
A nebulizer changes a liquid medication into a mist to be inhaled into the lungs.
Cetnarowski says the pumps work in concert with nebulizers and the respirator to give a patient a steady stream of medication to keep their airway open.
“The problem is, the medication compartment of the nebulizer may be small. It might require frequent attention by the medical staff," he said.
But a modified pump means a larger container of medication can be connected and last longer, limiting staff exposure to the patient.