Instructions for Use

Detailed instructions

This chapter contains all the information required by the users of the device for safe, correct and accurate measurement. It includes a detailed and complete description of all the functions of the device, all safety instructions and all the information required to understand the operation of the device.

5.1 FIRST TIME USE

5.1.1 BASIC FUNCTIONALITIES

The MESI ABPI MD package includes MESI ABPI MD device, set of colour-coded blood pressure cuffs (size M), AC/DC adaptor, USB cable, instructions for use, calibration report and declaration of conformity.

5.1.2 AC/DC POWER SUPPLY AND BATTERY

The MESI ABPI MD uses the following two power sources:

  • The mains electricity using AC/DC supply,

  • Battery power.

Connect the AC/DC adapter into a wall power socket. Connect the AC/DC adapter plug into the socket in the back side of the device.

⚠️Only use accessories and other parts recommended or supplied by MESI. Use of any other parts may result in injury, inaccurate measurements and/or damage to the unit. This product is not designed for sterile use.

The MESI ABPI MD can also function without the AC/DC power supply. When the device is not connected to the mains electricity, it is powered by a battery. The device is equipped with a high-capacity Li-Po battery to ensure complete portability of the measurement system. The battery is not replaceable.

NOTE: The battery may not be completely discharged in a new device and it may provide enough power to allow the device to start up. Nevertheless, the AC/ DC adapter must be connected when using the device for the first time.

The charging system works automatically. When the AC/DC adaptor is plugged in, the battery is charging and when charging, the battery charge indicator is animated.

The device does not need to be switched on to charge the battery. When the charging process is completed, it terminates automatically. The charge and battery indicators are shown in the title bar.

Battery level indication is given by a percentage and an icon, which are always displayed in the upper right corner of the display.

The table below explains the indicator lights.

Indicator lights
Column AColumn B
🟩 GreenThe device is turned on.
🟩 GreenThe charging has reached 100%.
🟧 Orange The device is turned on and it is charging.
🟥 RedThe device is turned off and it is charging.

5.1.3 CHANGING THE DEVICE SETTINGS

Turn on the device by pressing the ON/OFF button, on the back of the device. The display will show the initial screen with a greeting. To continue, select the desired settings.

Hold the ON/OFF button for 2 seconds to turn the device on or off.

Hold the ON/OFF button for 10 seconds to hard reset the device.

When using the MESI ABPI MD device for the first time, it is necessary to set the language, time and date. It is mandatory to set the exact time and date because of the effect of warnings and reminders which ensure the proper conduct or calibration of the MESI ABPI MD device.

Step 1 - Language settings

To select the operating language of the device, just click on one of the offered language options that are displayed on the screen.

Step 2 - Date settings

To set the date, format and separator type, click on the tab and choose among the provided alternatives.

Step 3 - Time settings

To select the time display of the device, select one of the offered alternatives regarding the time format (24-hour format or 12-hour format).

5.2 PATIENT PROFILE

After the measurement is done, the user has an option to assign the measurement to an existing patient or create a new patient’s profile. By clicking on the button, the device will offer both alternatives.

Adding patient is not required for a measurement to be performed.

5.3 PERFORMING AN ABI MEASUREMENT

The patient must be in a supine position, lie still and remain quiet.

NOTE: It is recommended that the patient sit still for at least 5 minutes before starting the measurement process.

NOTE: The person carrying out the measurement should always remain by the patient’s side and closely monitor the measurement process.

5.3.1. CUFF PLACEMENT

The MESI ABPI MD device comes with 4 cuffs for all limbs. The 5.3.1 ABI measurement can be operated with 4 or 3 cuffs. When using 4 cuffs, the MESI ABPI MD uses the SmartArm™ algorithm to identify the arm with higher systolic blood pressure, which will be used in the calculation of the ABI.


NOTE:
The measurement of the Ankle-Brachial Index can be affected by the placement and physical condition of the cuffs as well as by the position of the patient. The functioning of the device can also be affected high temperature, humidity and altitudes.

Option 1: ABI measurement with 4 cuffs

ABI measurement with 4 cuffs

When using only 3 cuffs, the user needs to identify the arm with the higher systolic blood pressure manually or perform the ABI measurement with both arms to obtain an accurate result.

Option 2.1: ABI measurement with 3 cuffs (right arm)

ABI measurement with 3 cuffs

Option 2.2: ABI measurement with 3 cuffs (left arm)

ABI  measurement  with 3 cuffs  (left arm)
ARM CUFF

Place the appropriate cuff on the left/right arm and position the cuff 1-2 cm above the elbow joint. Make sure that the arrow-shaped ARTERY marking is in line with the brachial artery.

ABPI MD cuff placement

Place the cuff so that there is two fingers’ width of room between the limb and the cuff. Make sure that you have chosen the correct size by referring to the SIZE marking and the OK area of the cuff.

ABPI MD cuff placement
ANKLE CUFF

Place the appropriate cuff on the left/right leg and position the cuff 2-3 cm above the ankle. Make sure that the arrow-shaped MEDIAL ANKLE marking points towards the inner side of the ankle.

ABPI MD ankle cuff placement

Place the cuff so that there is two fingers’ width of room between the limb and the cuff. Make sure that you have chosen the correct size by referring to the SIZE marking and the OK area of the cuff.

5.3.2 PERFORMING AN ABI MEASUREMENT

Step 1

Turn on the device by holding the ON/ OFF button for 2 seconds.

Step 2

Amputation option: If a patient has an amputated limb or is not compliant for ABI measurement due to severe and/or painful wounds, the ABI can be measured only on patient’s existing limbs. Before the measurement, the user can disable the selected cuff by clicking the button and selecting the limb that is not compliant for the measurement.

ABPI MD measurement

Step 3

Apply the cuffs to the appropriate locations (arms/legs) according to Chapter 5.3.1 Cuff placement and follow the onscreen instructions. The patient should be in a supine position, lie still and remain quiet. Press the START button to begin the measurement.

MESI ABPI MD measurement

Step 4

During the measurement, the pressure waveforms show the pressure oscillation for each limb while the display next to the oscillation shows the current pressure in the corresponding cuff.

Progress bar: The progress bar shows the timeline of the ABI measurement. When the bar comes to an end, the measurement of all blood pressure ends and all the cuffs deflate. The result screen follows.

STOP button – for cancelling the measurement.

MESI ABPI MD measurement

5.4 REVIEWING AN ABI MEASUREMENT

5.4.1 RESULT SCREEN

When the measurement process is completed, result will be displayed on the screen. This consists of 5 different areas: ABI values, Parameters, Waveforms, Comment, Add patient.

NOTE: If the results of the Ankle-Brachial Index measurement are very unusual, repeat the measurement three times.

5.4.1.1 ABI values

This section shows the left and right Ankle-Brachial Index results along with the systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the arm that was used for the calculation.

MESI ABPI MD Ankle-Brachial measurement results
5.4.1.2 Parameters

This section displays detailed information about the pulse rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure (mmHg) on the arms and legs.

MESI ABPI MD parameters
5.4.1.3 Waveforms

In this section, a detailed view of the measured oscillation and pulse waveform graphs is provided.

MESI ABPI MD waveforms
MESI ABPI MD waveformsMESI ABPI MD waveforms
MESI ABPI MD waveforms
MESI ABPI MD waveformsMESI ABPI MD waveforms

5.4.1.4 Comments

A comment can be added to every measurement. It will be stored and always available together with the recording report.

MESI ABPI MD comments

5.4.1.5 Adding patient

As an option, the device allows to assign the measurement to an existing patient (1) or create a new patient’s profile (2). This option is not required for a measurement to be performed.

MESI ABPI MD adding a patient
MESI ABPI MD adding a patientMESI ABPI MD adding a patient
MESI ABPI MD adding a patient
MESI ABPI MD adding a patientMESI ABPI MD adding a patient
MESI ABPI MD adding a patient
MESI ABPI MD adding a patientMESI ABPI MD adding a patient
MESI ABPI MD adding a patient
MESI ABPI MD adding a patientMESI ABPI MD adding a patient

5.5 INTERPRETATION OF AN ABI RESULT

5.5.1 DETECTION OF SEVERE PAD AND INCOMPRESSIBLE ARTERIES

When the result ‘Abnormally weak pulse’ is displayed, there is a high probability of severe Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) or incompressible arteries (Medial Calcinosis).

NOTE: The majority of the ‘Abnormally weak pulse’ results describe patients with an ABI around or lower than 0.5.

NOTE: In the case of Medial Calcinosis, the arteries cannot be compressed due to stiff arterial walls. The measurement of blood pressure with cuffs is not possible, making the ABI result unreliable. The patient should be referred for a Toe-Brachial Index (TBI) measurement.

5.5.2 PULSE WAVEFORM

The MESI ABPI MD uses the PADsense™ pattern recognition algorithm to automatically interpret the acquired pulse waveform and calculate the ABI with the result. However, to help the user better understand the performed ABI measurement, this pulse waveform is available on the result screen. Combining both the ABI result and pulse waveform represents the best practice in evaluating the presence and severity of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).

Normal pulse waveform will display:

(1) a rapid rise in the upstroke during systole,

(2) a very sharp peak,

(3) a gradual downstroke,

(4) the presence of the dicrotic notch.

ABPI MD pulse waveforms

An absence of the dicrotic notch, a smaller amplitude, a decreased slope and a rounding of the systolic peak are the initial signs of a possible abnormality – the measured ABI value is lower than the one with normal pulse waveform.

MESI mTABLET ABI - Pulse waveform - Image 02

A flattened PVR waveform or a PVR without the typical shape is an indicator of severe PAD. The absence of the pulsations caused by occlusions in the artery makes it impossible to calculate the ankle pressures. Instead of the ABI value, the device will display a ‘PAD’ result, indicating severe disease. The result is confirmed with a non-typical, flattened PVR waveform similar to the one below.

MESI mTABLET ABI - Pulse waveform - Image 03

5.5.3 OSCILATION GRAPH

As with the pulse waveform, the MESI ABPI MD result page also 5.5.3 displays oscillation graphs, which provide the user with pulse waveform analysis throughout the ABI measurement. Below are a couple of examples of different oscillation graphs:

Normal oscilation graph

MESI mTABLET ABI - Normal oscilation graph

Severe PAD oscilation graph

MESI mTABLET ABI - Severe PAD oscilation graph

Incompressible arteries oscillation graph

MESI mTABLET ABI - Incompressible arteriesoscilation graph

ChatBot