Surgeons may not give suction a lot of thought. Not because it couldn't be better, but because wall suction is all they've ever known. The American Association of Blood Banks recommends using dedicated suction with a maximum vacuum force of 150-200 mmHg. Maintaining suction in this range helps to protect intact tissue and red blood cells ("RBC") as they're aspirated for autotransfusion. However, safeguarding RBCs becomes more challenging while skimming in shallow pools of fluid when air is present. Studies have shown that hemolysis increases when blood mixes with air and at greater suction pressures.

Wall suction is also often unreliable and insufficient. Even when the gauge indicates adequate suction, actual force could be lower due to a kinked tube, multiple operating rooms relying on a singular suction source, or inaccurate calibrations. Evacuation of the site can be slow and frustrating, and potentially detrimental to the patient if fluid obscures an injury or pathology.

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Consistent performance, excellent visualization, intact RBCs

SmartSuction® Harmony® surgical suction system is a dedicated and portable vacuum source for Haemonetics' Cell Saver®5+, OrthoPAT®, and cardioPAT® Autotransfusion Systems. Our patented SmartSuction technology and disposable system work together to provide the least amount of damage to RBCs and excellent visualization, while avoiding the performance inconsistencies of wall suction.

With a maximum force of 150 mmHg, fluid and debris are evacuated quickly. When skimming, SmartSuction technology detects air in the aspiration line and automatically decreases vacuum force to evacuate blood gently and help save and protect RBCs for reinfusion.

In a recent lab test, SmartSuction Harmony Autoregulating Suction significantly reduced hemolysis. Based on this finding, when using Haemonetics' proprietary SmartSuction technology, there may be an increase in the number of viable red blood cells reinfused to patients.¹

Click here for a SmartSuction product brochure. (PDF)

^1. Elkin KR, Yazer M, Kameneva M, Waters J. Transfusion 2007;47(11):20A-21A