B. Braun Medical announced that it received FDA emergency use authorization to use its infusion pumps with nebulizers to treat patients with COVID-19.
The Bethlehem, Pa.-based company’s authorization win includes its Perfusor space syringe infusion pump, Infusomat space volumetric infusion pump and Outlook ES pump systems. Health providers can use the pumps for tracheal delivery of continuous nebulized medications into a nebulizer with the intent of treating patients of all ages with or suspected of having coronavirus, while also decreasing the exposure of healthcare providers to the virus.
Studies revealed that infusion pumps with nebulizers can provide controlled delivery of medication to patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, according to a B. Braun news release.
The FDA’s authorization also allows for ground medical transport use of the Infusomat system, while the Perfusor system is already cleared for ground transport.
“This authorization allows for an alternative method to administer continuous nebulized medications to patients who are critically ill with COVID-19, many of whom are on ventilation,” B. Braun chief medical officer & senior VP of scientific affairs Dr. Wes Cetnarowski said in the release. “As hospitals struggle to cope with the surge of patients suffering from this deadly disease, this action provides another tool for healthcare professionals on the front line to treat some of the most serious cases while helping to protect clinicians by reducing their exposure to infected patients.”
“We applaud this decisive action taken by the FDA to help some of the most seriously ill COVID-19 patients,” added B. Braun chairman & CEO Jean-Claude Dubacher. “The rapid review and authorization of this and other COVID-19 countermeasures demonstrate the agency’s commitment to ensure that healthcare providers have the medical devices and treatments they need to fight this disease.”
