Merit Medical Mentor Simulator/Tester - Manual (Page 3)

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•••••••• INTRODUCTION ••••••••
Description
The Mentor is a transducer simulator/tester
which can be used to verify the proper function
of physiological pressure transducers, the
integrity of Meritrans
® Reusable Cables and the
proper calibration of related monitoring devices.
It is a convenient, hand-held device capable of
generating and measuring pressures ranging
from -300 to +300 millimeters of mercury
(mmHg). The Mentor’s Liquid Crystal Display
indicates the pressure at the Transducer Test
Port .
Indications & Usage
The Mentor is designed to be used in the non-
sterile field in environments where physiological
pressure transducers and their monitoring
systems are used. The Mentor tests and/or
simulates both disposable and reusable pressure
transducers and related cabling. It can be used
to check linearity, hysteresis, gain and offset of
transducers and also the reliability and signal
integrity of Meritrans Reusable Cables. When
used as discussed in Section I, it allows
verification of calibration without compromising
the sterility of the pressure monitoring set-up.
WARNING: If the system is open to
atmospheric pressure and the display fails to
read “000”, check mentor calibration as outlined
in Section VI .
WARNING: Improper use of this device
in a physiological pressure monitoring system by
connecting to a patient during testing could
cause an air embolism.
WARNING: Unless using the backside
calibration port, test the pressure monitoring
system prior to patient hook up or after
disconnecting the patient from the pressure
monitoring system.
WARNING: Do not use this device in the
presence of flammable anesthetic gases.
WARNING: Discontinue use if liquid is spilled
on device.
WARNING: Unless using a transducer that
allows calibration verification without accessing
the sterile fluid path, do not connect the
patient to the physiological pressure monitoring
system while verifying the calibration of the
system.
WARNING: With a cable attached to the
Cable Test Connector and in the presence of
strong electromagnetic fields (e.g. nearby radio
or television antennae, power cables, etc.), the
displayed pressure reading may be inaccurate.
Before reading pressures on the Mentor,
remove cable from the Cable Test Connector.
WARNING: Pressures in excess of 1000mmHg
can be generated by the Pressure Regulator
Knob. Always turn device on before adjusting
knob. If display reads “OPr”, stop adjusting
knob. Adjustments made after “OPr” reading
can generate pressures (>1000 mmHg) high
enough to cause sensor failure.
PRECAUTION: Check that all fittings and
connections are secured to prevent loss of
pressure and erroneous test results.
PRECAUTION: For best results, allow time for
transducer to warm up (30 seconds).
PRECAUTION: Extreme differences in
atmospheric pressure or the use of a test tubing
set which is of much greater volume may effect
the Mentor’s ability to achieve a desired
pressure. To compensate, first open the Mentor
to atmospheric pressure. To gain more positive
pressure capability, move the Pressure Regulator
Knob to a starting position which is further away
from the Mentor’s housing. To gain more
negative pressure capability, move the Pressure
Regulator Knob to a starting position which is
closer to the Mentor’s housing.