Missed the version 12.0 update? No problem.

If you have not added the optional software v12.0 and currently use v11.3 on your Spectra Optia^TMApheresis System, you can update directly to v12.1, which will include the v12.0 features. Some of those enhancements are particularly helpful for teams who want to perform single-needle red blood cell exchange (RBCX) procedures as well as single-needle therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) procedures.

Listed below are some of the changes included with the v12.0 software update that will now be part of v12.1.

The ability to perform a single-needle procedure for the RBCX protocol. You can select this option at the start of the run or during the run. The single-needle adapter (catalog number 11220) is required to perform a single-needle procedure.

Patient safety features regarding minimum hematocrit (HCT) levels and warnings for red blood cell (RBC) replacement fluid HCTs that are below 50%.

An optional medication infusion notification, which (if activated) alerts you to consider pausing a medication infusion when Spectra Optia pumps are paused. It also reminds you to restart the medication infusion when you resume the procedure.

Alarm screens are updated to include an alarm number associated with the alarm name. The current Spectra Optia software version is displayed in parentheses next to the alarm number.

For more information about software v12.0, see this training document and the original customer letter.

To learn about additional enhancements that will be part of the v12.1 software upgrade, read this issue’s article on the topic.