Medical Devices and COVID-19

Medical devices and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

A collection of resources about Laerdal’s medical devices related to the potential exposure of the COVID-19 virus.

Safe suctioning of patients with viral or bacterial infections:

How to clean the LCSU 4

During the COVID-19 outbreak the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the following information about environmental cleaning:

Environmental cleaning in healthcare facilities or homes housing patients with suspected or confirmed 2019-nCoV infection should use disinfectants that are active against enveloped viruses, such as 2019-nCoV and other coronaviruses. There are many disinfectants, including commonly used hospital disinfectants, that are active against enveloped viruses. Currently WHO recommendations include the use of:

70% Ethyl alcohol to disinfect reusable dedicated equipment (e.g., thermometers) between uses.
Sodium hypochlorite at 0.5% (equivalent 5000ppm) for disinfection of frequently touched surfaces in homes or healthcare facilities

More information can be found here: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-on-infection-prevention-and-control-for-health-care-workers-caring-for-patients-with-suspected-or-confirmed-2019-ncov

The User Guide for Laerdal Compact Suction Unit 4 (LCSU 4) contains the following Information about cleaning:

Clean Cabinet surfaces by carefully wiping with a soft cloth or sponge with mild detergent. Use hand dishwashing liquid or similar that is compatible with the Material Chart (see Chapter 9 in the user guide). Dry all surfaces using a clean cloth or paper towel.

In light of the current WHO recommendations, Laerdal has reviewed its recommendations for cleaning. Laerdal has not tested the LCSU 4 using 70% Ethyl alcohol or Sodium hypochlorite at 0.5%. Information published by other reliable sources on the cleaning of the materials listed in the table below has been used to provide this guidance.

Material Chart LCSU 4	Material type	70% EtOH	0,5% NaClO	Note
Cabinet front	PC	OK	OK
Battery Cover	PC	OK	OK
Vacuum Regulator	PC	OK	OK
Bottom Cover	PC	OK	OK
Vacuum Inlet Cover	PC	OK	OK
Control Panel	PVC	OK	OK
Vacuum Tube	Silicone, K-resin	OK	Damage	Only for 800 ml version
Vacuum Port Connector	TPR	Damage	OK	Only for 800 ml version
Vacuum Inlet Connector	PC	OK	OK	Only for 800 ml version
High-Efficiency Filter	PP	OK	OK	Only for 800 ml version
Wire Stands	Steel, PVC

Please refer to the User Guide for further details.

Filters in medical devices

Please also visit the World Health Organization for advice on how to limit the spread of viruses from the Coronavirus disease outbreak.

What type of filters are used in the Laerdal Face Shield and the Laerdal Pocket Mask?

Face Shield and Pocket Mask has a filter, Technostat T-150(+)/15. This filter is for single patient use only. This filter is intended to protect the rescuer from bacteria and viruses and has a viral and bacterial efficacy of ≥ 99%.

What type of filters are used in the Laerdal Suction Unit (LSU) Bemis?

Bemis Canister (88 30 00) and patient tube (78 04 12)

For the LSU Bemis (catalog number 78 00 20 01) the single-use canister (catalog number 883000 ) contains a filter in the lid. This filter has been tested for its viral and bacterial efficacy and is found to have 99.9% viral and bacterial filtration efficiency.

LSU Bemis (78 00 20 01) fitted with the high-efficiency filter kit (78 04 13 34)

The LSU Bemis can be used with the high-efficiency filter kit (catalog number 78041334 ). The bidirectional hydrophobic Intervene 7 Filter from Pall Medical* meets HEPA standards** with a filter efficiency of 99.97% down to 0.3µm and may be used together with ***Laerdal Suction Unit to reduce the risk of contamination from the exhaust air of the suction pump.

Reference for further information:
*PALL MEDICAL filter specifications can be found on the internet at www.pall.com. Reference Intervene 7 Filter.
**HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) claims for the Intervene 7 filter are documented by Pall Medical.
***Laerdal Suction Unit, User Guide, paragraph 3.2.3 Test

What type of filers are used in the Laerdal Suction Unit (LSU) Reusable?

78 12 00 Aerosol Filter for LSU Reusable Canister (left) and LSU (78 00 00 xx) with aerosol filter fitted (right)

The reusable LSU (catalog numbers 78 00 00 xx) must be used with the aerosol filter (catalog number 781200 ). The Aerosol Filter protects the LSU by preventing aerosols from entering the pump unit. It is not intended for microbiological or for particle filtration. The Aerosol Filter is not designed for decontamination. It is recommended that the Aerosol Filter be replaced after each use or at least once every shift.

What type of filters are used in the Laerdal Suction Unit (LSU) Serres?

All Serres suction bags are equipped with a hydrophobic filter. The hydrophobic filter acts as a combined bacterial filter and overflow protection. The filter closes suction automatically when it comes in contact with fluids preventing liquid and particles dissolved in the liquid entering the vacuum source.

The bacteria filtration efficiency (BFE) is on average 99,97%. (Staphylococcus aureus, ASTM F2101, Nelson Laboratories, LLC)

>99,9% of particles size 0,4μm or greater are filtered from the air. (independently tested by VTT Finland, data available on request)

Serres also offers a Viral filter (ref 57702). However, it is not possible to connect this filter to the Laerdal Suction Unit when using a Serres canister.

What type of filters are used in the Laerdal Compact Suction Unit (LCSU) 4?

The LCSU 4 300 ml canister (catalog number 886100 ) has an internal filter which function is to prevent liquid from entering the pump unit if tipped over or canister is full. This filter has not been tested for its viral or bacterial efficacy.

LCSU-4 800 ml canister, patient tube and vacuum tube

The LCSU 4 800 ml canister from Bemis (catalog number 886102 ) has a mechanical valve inside the lid that prevents liquid from entering the pump unit when the canister is full. The canister lid also contains Aerostat® bacterial filter to protect against contamination.

High-efficiency filter kit for LCSU-4 800 ml

The LCSU 4 800 ml has an optional high-efficiency filter kit (catalog number 886116 ). The filter is HEPA rated with an efficiency of 99.97% down to a particle size of 0.3 μm. The use of the kit will reduce the airflow and battery run time.

Does Laerdal supply filters for The BAG II and the Laerdal Silicone Resuscitator?

The Laerdal Silicone Resuscitator (LSR) and The BAG II are NOT supplied with a filter.

We recommend that you use an HMEF filter between the patient valve and the mask, the ET or Supraglottic tube. This is a standard filter that is widely available. A filter with a 22F/15M connector will fit both the Laerdal Silicone Resuscitator and The BAG II. Currently, Laerdal does not supply this type of filter.