MCS - Medical FAQ's

Medical FAQ's

  • How does ActiveCare+S.F.T. achieve a higher peak venous velocity compared with the Kendall Express system?
    ActiveCare+S.F.T. is a lightweight mobile and battery-powered device that monitors the natural Venous Phasic Blood Flow and triggers a compression in sync with this flow.  This unique patented Synchronized Flow Technology (S.F.T.) provides significant amplification to the venous flow pulsatility with only minor changes in the device's impact on the legs, so providing gentle pressure, which delivers an optimal hemodynamic profile tailored to the patient's specific physiology.

    The production of higher blood flow speed and pulsatility generated by the device, its compact size, and the fact that it can be worn 24-hours a day, give it a definite advantage over standard competing products. Clinical studies demonstrated that ActiveCare+S.F.T. is at least as effective as Lovenox in DVT prevention and still have significantly less adverse effects.

  • How do you explain the higher compliance rate of ActiveCare+S.F.T. in comparison to other standard IPC devices?
    ActiveCare+S.F.T.  is portable, with an  ease of use and quiet operation make it possible to be used on a 24-hour basis.  In all of our studies  it was used for more than 80% of the time, including out patient settings.

  • It is said that once a patient completes his/her bed stay, there is no further need for treatment with pneumatic compression devices. Is this true?
    The duration of prophylaxis is dependent upon the patient’s status rather than on the prophylactic method. Saying that patients do not need further mechanical protection once they start ambulating is the same as saying that they are no longer in need of drug protection against DVT at that time. This contradicts the CHEST CONSENSUS Guidelines that recommend 10-30 days of prophylaxis for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty.

     Low compliance has been shown to correlate with poor clinical outcomes, and the lowest compliance rates were measured in the vulnerable period when the patient starts to walk, yet is still not “fully mobile”. The term “fully mobile” cannot be applied to a patient that is able to walk a little, but is still spending most of the day in bed or on a couch.

  • Can side effects such as pressure ulcers, compartment syndrome and nerve palsy occur with ActiveCare+S.F.T.as with regular IPC treatment ?
    Although rare, such complications can also occur with ActiveCare+S.F.T.  Please give careful consideration to contraindications and check the skin under the sleeve at least once daily for signs of skin changes. In low risk patients the pneumatic sleeve should be removed once every 12 hours and the patient’s legs inspected.  In high-risk patients (elderly, unconscious, paralyzed, or with severe known peripheral neuropathy or with continuous epidural analgesia) the legs should be inspected every eight hours.

    It is recommended to fit the correct sleeve size to the patient’s leg. Sleeves can also be worn on top of simple cotton stockinettes, rather than worn directly on the skin.

  • Should ActiveCare+S.F.T. be  used in combination with a graduated compression stocking (GCS)?
         The combination of stationary IPC with GCS, achieves better results in DVT prevention when compared to IPC alone. Although the addition of GCS does not increase PVV, it is thought to add a “second line” of defense to traditional stationary IPC devices, especially when the stationary devices are not used. 

    However, unlike the standard stationary IPCs, with ActiveCare+S.F.T., GCS is not required in conjunction with the device, due to its high patient compliance. The outstanding clinical results of the ActiveCare+S.F.T. in DVT prevention were all achieved with calf sleeves only and without additional GCS.

  • Is a calf sleeve "better" than a foot sleeve?
         We recommend using calf sleeves because of the higher peak venous velocity that they achieve at the common femoral vein and because they facilitate compliance level in and out of the hospital.  Foot sleeves oare recommended only in situations where calf or thigh sleeves cannot be used.

  • What degree of pressure is applied by ActiveCare+S.F.T.sleeves? 
         The ActiveCare+S.F.T. device provides 50mmHg of pressure to the patient’s limb with the calf and thigh sleeves, and 130 mmHg with the foot sleeves.

  • Being that ActiveCare+S.F.T. is so small, is it likely that it or its accessories may get lost?
         This is a common misconception.  It is well known fact that the medical world is rapidly moving towards mobile devices. Other small and portable devices are routinely used in hospitals (portable monitors, IVACs, telemetry, etc.); small size and portability are considered an advantage rather than a disadvantage. 

  • The AC/DC power supply adapter has only two pins. don’t hospital regulations require three pins as a standard?
         The AC/DC adaptor is medical grade and has passed all regulatory inspections. It was approved by the FDA and has a CE certificate for use in hospital environments. It holds a TUV, UL 60601-1 and ISO 1348:2003 approvals as well.  The requirement for three pins usually applies to metal covered devices. Moreover, the use of the three pins connector is actually forbidden for use in devices that have double insulation (UL 60601-1).
  • Is the permanent carrying strap difficult to clean?
    The carrying strap is not “permanent”.  It was designed to be easily detached for cleaning or sterilization and can be replaced. The strap is made of a nylon material which doesn’t absorb fluids. For daily maintenance it can be easily cleaned with 70% alcohol.
  • Are extra long tube extensions available?
         There are 2 lengths of tubing available. Long tubing, 6.6 ft (2 meters), are for use in the OR. Short tubing, 3.9 ft (1.2 meters), are for use in the rehab nursing unit. The shorter tubing is generally used to allow for patient mobility and comfort.