Automatic data collection for cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract

An open software system for automatic data collection during cardiopulmonary bypass is presented. The software is run on a microprocessor with permanent memory, a general purpose interface board capable of analogue-to-digital conversion and five serial communication ports for data collection. Analogue data signals for blood flow, gas flow, patient temperatures and pressures are automatically recorded and referenced to real time. Continuous inline blood gas and temperature parameters are passed to the microprocessor for storage in a database. Results from a blood analyser and an electrolyte analyser, placed in the next room, are automatically passed to the computer and presented on the screen. This system provides the perfusionist with automatic preoperative calculations of all parameters necessary for setting up the perfusion. During bypass, data are automatically collected, presented for evaluation and used in calculated transformations. A maximum of 36 real time curves are traced and stored as trend curves. In critical situations they may also be stored as real time curves. These curves can be recalled or plotted for further analysis. At the end of bypass a perfusion report is printed out. The records of the patients are permanently stored on disk and the files can be transferred to other software systems for further statistical analysis.