VT900A FAQ

What is the difference between the VT650 and the VT900/VT900A?

 

The features that differentiate the VT900A and VT650 are the ability to measure ultra-low flow and ultra-low pressure, the ability to use an external TTL trigger input and improved oxygen sensor accuracy and lifetime (1% accuracy and a 2-year lifetime vs. 2% accuracy and a 1-year lifetime).

 

What is the difference between the VT900 and the VT900A?

 

From a technical standpoint, there is no difference between the VT900 and the VT900A. The only difference is that a connector was added at the rear panel to allow for power and communication to the VAPOR Anesthesia Tester.

 

What is VAPOR?

 

The VAPOR Anesthesia Tester is an accessory to the VT900A that allows for preventive maintenance / efficacy testing of vaporizers. VAPOR can test the concentration of 5 major anesthetic agents, CO2 and N2O.

 

Why can’t I connect VAPOR to the VT900?

 

VT900 lacks the connector on the rear panel that provides power and communication to the VAPOR Anesthesia Tester. Only the VT900A has this connector.

 

How can I update the firmware of the VT650, VT900/VT900A?

 

Firmware is field-upgradeable and downloadable from our site at the gas flow software page. The link will state whether a calibration is required. Your device will always be upgraded to the most recent firmware version if your device is sent to a Fluke service center.

 

How can I update the firmware of VAPOR?

 

Firmware is field-upgradeable and downloadable from our site at thegas flow software page. The link will state whether a calibration is required. Your device will always be upgraded to the most recent firmware version if your device is sent to a Fluke service center.

 

What is the battery life of the VT650, VT900, VT900A?

 

All of these products have an 8-hour battery life allowing you to test all day, on-the-go.

 

How do I save, retrieve, or print test results from VT650, VT900, VT900A/VAPOR?

 

Saving results is easy on any of these units. From any screen there is a blue box in the bottom right called “Save”. Press on this button and you are able to save your results as data, a graph, a recording or under a new Test ID. These results can then be recalled from the onboard memory under “Menus” and “Memory”.

 

How do I zero the sensors (to get rid of drift) on the VT650, VT900, VT900A?

 

There are two sensors to zero on these devices. The first is the airway flow sensor. You want to zero this without the breathing circuit attached. From the “Airway” screen, press “Zero”.

The second sensor to calibrate is the oxygen sensor. From the “Menus” screen, press “Calibrate Oxygen” and the device will lead you through the steps to calibrate your sensor using air and oxygen.

How to I connect the VT650, VT900/VT900A for testing ventilators?

 

The connection to our gas flow analyzers changes depending on the testing you are about to do.

If you are testing breath parameters or bi-directional flow the connection should be a Y connector on the flow inlet side and a calibrated test lung on the flow exhaust side. Always use an antibacterial filter on the inlet side to elongate the life and accuracy of your gas flow analyzer.

When testing uni-directional flow or concentration measurements the DUT simply needs to be connected to the flow inlet side using an antibacterial filter.

How do I connect the VT900A and VAPOR for testing anesthesia systems?

 

The connection of VT900A for testing the ventilator function of an anesthesia delivery system is unchanged from normal breath by breath or constant flow testing.

VAPOR needs to be used to test the anesthetic agent concentrations as well as carrier gas concentrations. VAPOR is connected to the VT900A using the connector on the back of the VT900A. The inlet should be connected to the fresh gas outlet using a tee connector to pull a side stream sample. The exhaust ends of the tee connector and VAPOR should be connected to the anesthesia gas scavenging system (AGSS).

WARNINGS:

• Do not run anesthetic agent through any ports of the VT900A.
• Only pull side stream samples into VAPOR using a tee accessory.

When do I/How do I decide which option to select for Bidirectional Flow (Bidirectional; Uni-directional; Continuous)?

 

The breath detection mode should be changed depending on what it is that you are testing. Breath detection modes can be changed under “Menus”, “Setup”, “Breath Detect”.

If you are testing breath parameters using a test lung, you want to be in bi-directional mode. This will allow the flows to pass through the gas flow analyzer in both directions to simulate human breathing.

Uni-directional flow or continuous “off” flow is used when testing parameters that should be at a constant setting (flow rates, oxygen concentration). This allows for the gases to pass through the gas flow analyzer in only one direction.

What is a Test Profile?

 

The connection to our gas flow analyzers changes depending on the testing you are about to do.

If you are testing breath parameters or bi-directional flow the connection should be a Y connector on the flow inlet side and a calibrated test lung on the flow exhaust side. Always use an antibacterial filter on the inlet side to elongate the life and accuracy of your gas flow analyzer.

When testing uni-directional flow or concentration measurements the DUT simply needs to be connected to the flow inlet side using an antibacterial filter.

How do I use the VT650, VT900/VT900A for troubleshooting ventilator problems?

 

Under “Menus” and “Special Tests” there are a number of tests that can help troubleshoot and identify failure modes. These tests include:

• Airway Pressure Leak Test
• High Pressure Leak Test
• Low Pressure Leak Test
• Ultra-Low Pressure Leak Test
• Trend Test
• Stacked Volume Test
• High Frequency Test

When and how do I use the VT900/VT900A Ultra-Low Flow and Ultra-Low Pressure ports?

 

There are certain applications that require high resolution and high accuracy to ensure functional performance. Examples of such devices would be anesthesia machines and neonatal ventilators. In these applications, you simply connect the tubing to the ports on the nearside of the VT900A and switch your screen to the ultra-low flow and ultra-low pressure views.

 

What is the VT650, VT900/VT900A Excel Plug-In used for?

 

The Excel Plug-In is used to download test data to your PC for upload. The Excel Plug-In can download numerical data as well as graphs to ensure that you are able to get your test results into a report and even into your CMMS. Easily download the Plug-In from the gas flow analyzer software page and install on your PC.

 

Fluke Biomedical includes a bacteria filter in the accessory kit it ships with its gas flow analyzers. Will this protect the gas flow analyzer from contamination with the COVID-19 virus?

 

The COVID 19 virus particle size is 125 nanometers (0.125 microns); the range is 0.06 microns to .14 microns. The bacteria filter shipped in the accessory kit for VT gas flow analyzers filters down to 0.3 microns. It is not designed to stop COVID-19, but it is designed to protect the flow and pressure sensors of the VT gas flow analyzers and should be use during all medical gas flow/pressure measurements when using the main flow channel. Using a filter helps extend the life of your analyzer and the accuracy of your results by keeping your channels and sensors clean.