Custom Heaters for Intravenous Contrast Materials

Heat Solutions for Medical Warming Applications

Application and Challenges
Clinicians worldwide use contrast media, also called contrast agents, to allow radiologists to see the internal structures of the body in greater detail by making them more visible against the background of other tissues.  Contrast medias use iodine-based contrasts for on computed tomography (CT scans), gadolinium-based agents for MRI and lipid bubble contrast agents used in ultrasound.

About one third of all MRIs taken include contrast in order to provide an easier and more accurate diagnoses. Some disorders, like neurological conditions, are easier to diagnose with the contrast. Physicians can see blood moving through vessels with the aid of a contrast MRI and see certain heart structures with much greater accuracy.

Studies have found that warming intravenous contrast material enhances scans and provides more accurate diagnoses.  Warming lowers injection pressure and reduces allergic reactions. Contrast mediums stored at room temperature, however, will not heat up fast enough using an external envelope warmer.  A more effective solution is the use of a circulating warmer air to bring the contrast media to the desired temperature in shorter time.
 

Solutions
OEM equipment manufacturers rely on the precision of TUTCO-Farnam’s heat solutions in many medical warming applications, including the warming of contrast mediums used in x-rays, CT scans and MRIs. Our solutions, including custom open-coil heaters, mica, and flex heaters meets the demanding and complex specifications required by the Med-Tech industry while providing consistent and reliable results.