Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis entails the stages of the development of an arterial catheter capable of being guided by the impedance of human tissue. Such a device would be desired in cases where it is not possible to locate the artery of a patient using anatomical landmarks. This design thus aims to improve the accuracy of first time placement of arterial catheters. The thesis entails the literature study done in order to initiate the development of said device, followed by preliminary concept design and evaluation. The thesis also contains a description of all experimental phases, done on in vitro tissue samples, in vivo samples in living porcine subjects and in vivo samples in living human patients. Experiments were performed to determine if any repeatable noticeable difference in tissue impedance could be identified and utilized in the hope of guiding this device using acquired differences in tissue impedance. The different stages of development for the prototype used in these tests are also described in detail. In addition, the results of the different tests are presented, which prove that there is a significant difference between blood tissue impedance and the surrounding tissue types encountered, allowing for guidance of the proximal tip of the arterial catheter, based on the tissue impedance measured. Finally, the thesis entails a description of further work which could be performed if this concept were to be considered as a marketable product. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis behels die verskillende stappe in die ontwerp van 'n kateter wat deur middel van die verskillende impedansie vlakke van biologiese weefsel gelei kan word in die menslikke liggaam. Sò ‘n toestel sal behulpsaam wees in gevalle waar plasing nie gedoen kan word met die behulp van anatomiese landmerke nie. Hierdie ontwerp mik dus om die akkuraatheid van die plasing van kateters te verbeter. Die tesis behels die literatuur studies benodig om sò 'n toestel te ontwerp, gevolg deur voorlopige konsep ontwerpe en die evaluasie van hierdie konsepte. Die tesis behels ook die verskillende eksperimentele fases van die projek; eksperimente op in vitro weefsel monsters, in vivo diere toetse en in vivo kliniese toetse op menslike weefsel. Al hierdie eksperimente is gedoen om te bepaal of enige herhaalbare, waarneembare verskil in weefsel impedansie geidentifiseer kan word en dus gebruik word met die hoop om diè teoretiese kateter te lei met behulp van diè verskil in weefsel impedansie. Die verskillende stappe van die ontwerp van die prototipes gebruik in hierdie eksperimente word ook in detail beskryf. Die resultate van die verskillende eksperimente word ook aangebied, wat bewys dat daar 'n beduidende verskil is tussen die impedansie van bloed weefsel en die impedansie van die aanliggende weefsel tipes, wat dus impliseer dat die proksimale punt van die kateter gelei kan word deur die gemete impedansie by die punt van die toestel, gebaseer op die resultate wat gevind is. Laastens behels die tesis ook 'n beskrywing van toekomstige werk wat gedoen kan word indien die konsep ontwikkel word tot 'n bemarkbare produk.

Introduction: Arterial catherer placement by a general nurse at the departments of intensive care, resuscitation and anaesthesiology is still rather exceptional, despite the fact that this competence was defined in our legal system for the first time already in 2004 by the Decree no. 424/2004 Coll. of the Ministry of Health. The authorisation to execute this highly professional operation by a nurse specialised in intensive care is generally not reflected by the employer in the job description, although it might be one of the possible ways to increase the prestige of this profession. Objectives: The main objective of the thesis was to determine the current state in the area of arterial line placement from the perspective of intensive care nurses, to quantify their interest and clarify their readiness to execute the operation. Methodology: The quantitative method of anonymous questionnaire of own design was selected for the research survey. The questionnaire was distributed in electronic way to hospitals established by the Ministry of Health, regional government or private owners. We contacted one large hospital in every region, with the exception of Prague. The research sample consisted of general nurses working at the departments of intensive care, resuscitation and anaesthesiology, who at the same...

(v AJ) The aim of this diploma thesis was namely to find out whether the saline solution, intended for the continuous flushing of arterial catheters, is as effective in preventing arterial blockage as compared to saline solution with heparin. In this diploma thesis I also deal with the comparison of material consumption by using both methods of flushing arterial sets and the financial costs associated with them. Patients with diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock were included in the study. Pseudorandomization was used to group 52 patients into either experimental and control group. The testing was performed using a non-parametric Wilcoxon two-assay test and Fisher precision test. Based on the results of my study, regard to the occurrence of complications (catheter closure) an arterial catheter flushing by saline solution is as effective as flushing by a saline solution with heparin. My research also confirmed that the use of saline solution as a flushing solution is less costly (regarding material) and therefore it is advisable to use saline solution for flushing arterial catheters. Based on my study, saline solution is now used as a flushing solution of arterial catheters at an anesthesiology-resuscitation department, where only a saline solution with heparin was used for the flushing. Using saline...