Radiol Technol. 2020 Jan;91(3):214-222.
To compare the MEDRAD Stellant and MEDRAD Stellant FLEX computed tomography contrast media injection systems in terms of radiologic technologists' ability to visually identify air in the syringes at various distances and under different lighting conditions, as well as the ease of cleaning contrast media spills on the injector faces.
Ten experienced radiologic technologists performed 104 tests (52 per injector) in normal light and in ambient light conditions. The tests were randomized for the radiologic technologists' distance from the injector at 2 ft (61 cm), 8 ft (244 cm), and 16 ft (488 cm). In addition, the authors tested the cleaning efficiency of the Stellant injector face with raised buttons and the Stellant FLEX injector face with buttons on a flush surface by applying a mixture of contrast media and invisible ultraviolet ink. Radiologic technologists followed 2 cleaning protocols: a quick clean (5 seconds) and a full clean (1 minute). Residual contrast mixture was measured.
The Stellant FLEX injector had an overall higher rate of correct air identification than did the Stellant injector, 97.5% vs 86.9%, respectively ( < .001), with improvement seen at greater distances. The rates for the Stellant FLEX injector remained stable for all distances (99.4%-93.9%; < .003). A similar result was seen with ambient lighting: The visibility of air in the Stellant FLEX injector remained stable ( < .001). During cleaning, the Stellant FLEX injector required less time to reach a greater level of cleanliness and showed less contrast mixture residue, especially after the quick clean procedure (16% and 59%, respectively; < .001).
Injector manufacturers provide various technologies to assist radiologic technologists in visualizing the presence of air in a syringe. The Stellant injector features clear syringes with FluiDots as an air identification technology. The Stellant FLEX injector incorporates an added feature called . This study's results are highly clinically relevant because unintentional iatrogenic air injection occurs in clinical practice and can, in rare cases, severely harm patients.
Radiologic technologists showed an improved ability to identify air in the syringes in the Stellant FLEX system. In addition, radiologic technologists were confident about their identification, specifically at greater distances and in ambient lighting conditions. The Stellant FLEX injector face also enabled quicker and more efficient cleaning.
比较 MEDRAD Stellant 和 MEDRAD Stellant FLEX 计算机断层造影剂注射系统，评估放射技师在不同距离和不同照明条件下肉眼识别注射器中空气的能力，以及两种注射器在对比剂溢出时的清洁难易程度。
10 名有经验的放射技师在正常光照和环境光照条件下，对两种注射器各进行了 104 次测试（每种注射器 52 次）。测试按放射技师距离注射器的距离（2 英尺[61 厘米]、8 英尺[244 厘米]和 16 英尺[488 厘米]）进行随机排列。此外，作者还通过应用对比剂和不可见紫外线墨水的混合物，测试了 Stellant 注射器凸起按钮和 Stellant FLEX 注射器平面按钮的清洁效率。放射技师遵循两种清洁方案：快速清洁（5 秒）和全面清洁（1 分钟）。测量残留的对比混合物。
Stellant FLEX 注射器的空气识别正确率总体上高于 Stellant 注射器，分别为 97.5%和 86.9%（<0.001），在更远的距离上识别正确率提高。Stellant FLEX 注射器在所有距离下的正确率均保持稳定（99.4%-93.9%；<0.003）。在环境光照下也得到了类似的结果：Stellant FLEX 注射器中空气的可见度保持稳定（<0.001）。在清洁过程中，Stellant FLEX 注射器达到更高清洁度所需的时间更短，且残留的对比混合物更少，尤其是在快速清洁后（分别为 16%和 59%；<0.001）。
注射器制造商提供了各种技术，以帮助放射技师观察注射器中空气的存在。Stellant 注射器的特点是带有 FluiDots 的透明注射器，作为空气识别技术。Stellant FLEX 注射器采用了一项名为的附加功能。本研究的结果具有重要的临床意义，因为在临床实践中会发生无意的医源性空气注射，在极少数情况下会严重伤害患者。
放射技师在 Stellant FLEX 系统中识别注射器内空气的能力有所提高。此外，放射技师对自己的识别结果更有信心，尤其是在更远的距离和环境光照条件下。Stellant FLEX 注射器的喷嘴也使清洁更快、更高效。
