Frequently Asked Questions

The Sapphire user interface is available in several languages, including English, Norwegian, French and Italian. Q Core requires three weeks for programming a new language into the pump after a qualified translation of the relevant strings is completed.

The Sapphire pump stands out from other volumetric infusion pumps on the market in several key areas. While most volumetric infusion pumps are relatively large and heavy, the Sapphire is one of a very few that provides high-end volumetric pump functionality in a lightweight and compact form. Specific areas in which Sapphire provides top performance compared to others include:

• Small size and low weight of 418 g (14.74 oz), without the battery – Enables easy handling and transfer around the ward/hospital, and saves a lot of real estate where many pumps are needed
• Accuracy of ±2.5% at all rates vs.5-10%
• Battery life of 24hr vs.4-8hr
• Full-color screen – Use of color scheme enhances ease of use and clarity, helping to eliminate operation errors.
• Future proof  – The Sapphire features built-in extra slots for all forms of connectivity, pump locator and other smart capabilities, and software that can be easily adapted and upgraded 
• Full care area solution
• Easy setup, navigation and programming
• Fast startup -- With minimal steps compared to other pumps.
• Additional benefits include:
  • Double free flow protection
  • Very clear and visible alarms that are easily distinguished
  • Single-handed insertion of administration set
  • Display of “Time to End of Treatment”, keeps patients informed of how long treatment will continue
  • No restriction on operating position
  • Easy patient mobility – Support for manual priming, small size and weight, and position-independent operation allows patients to move around and continue daily activities while attached to the pump
  • Fast prime (600 ml/hr)

The pump mechanism in a volumetric infusion pump must create a continuous accurate flow even as different levels of force are required during different stages of the peristaltic cycle. The inherent challenges in achieving this mean that most volumetric pumps utilize highly complex mechanisms that carry a high cost of ownership in terms of energy consumption and wear and tear; or they have more simple, but significantly less accurate systems with non continuous and non linear flow control capabilities. Q Core’s magnetic flow control mechanism is by comparison, a streamlined design that ensures exceptionally accurate flow, with low energy consumption. 
The Q Core flow control mechanism used in the Sapphire is based on an entirely unique and patented concept. It is the first and currently only mechanism with two propulsion systems working in synch. One system is responsible for the continuous equable flow, while the other system exploits magnetic propulsion to counter-balance the elastic forces of the administration set tube as it is compressed by the pump’s mechanical movement. This unique system, which exploits “free” magnetic energy, provides a highly linear and consistent flow, with robust, trouble-free performance. It also significantly reduces energy consumption, thus allowing the pump to offer an exceptionally long battery lifetime.

The Sapphire multi-therapy infusion pump is controlled via an intuitive touch-screen interface. The interface is designed to enable fast setup and adjustment, with minimal key strokes for every operation. This saves time and eliminates complexity and errors. The startup time, including standard 20ml set priming, is significantly lower with the Sapphire than it is with other leading volumetric infusion pumps available today. Changing parameters mid-infusion is also very easy, requiring just a few strokes on the touch-screen.

The Sapphire offers high accuracy of ± 2.5% at all ranges (subject to external conditions such as tubing, rate, bag position relative to the pump, humidity and temperature)This is similar to leading syringe pumps, and is better than most volumetric and ambulatory pumps. 

Yes. The Sapphire can be easily switched between electronic pump and gravity infusion. This eliminates the need to change pumps or sets in order to move patients from one care area to another and enhances mobility.

The Sapphire might look like an ambulatory pump but it is a large-volume infusion pump. It is small in size, but it is big in performance! It provides all the functionality of a volumetric infusion pump, with the advantages of a much smaller size and lighter weight.

The Sapphire infusion pump is designed primarily for hospitals, where bedside space is often at a premium. The small size of the pump leaves more room for other devices and monitors, enabling a more organized bedside area, which is easier for health care teams to manage. Additionally, its small size and light weight facilitate patient mobility. Patients can more easily push around the pole (or move without a pole altogether) as they walk on the ward, with less likelihood the pump will be bumped into walls and doors.
Sapphire is also widely used for homecare and for ambulation in hospitals. It can easily be carried in a pouch, allowing the patient to move around easily.

No. Q Core’s dedicated sets must be used with the Sapphire pump. 
Using dedicated sets provides several advantages:

• Q Core sets have built in safety features that standard IV sets do not have and that provide free flow protection.
• Q Core sets play a key role in the superior accuracy of Q Core infusion pumps.
• Gravity operation can be performed with each Q Core set, when the Anti-Free-Flow Valve (AFFV) is in the open position, reducing the need to switch sets and reducing wastage.
• Q Core sets reduce power consumption due to the unique design of the AFFV. 
• Unlike other pumps, with Q Core sets there is no need to move or rearrange the tubing in order to ensure ongoing accuracy and safety.   
• Q Core sets are priced competitively with standard infusion sets.  

The drug library is programmable according to the requirements of each individual hospital. The system allows each hospital to customize its own drug library and download it to one pump or a group of pumps within the hospital.

Yes, the Sapphire infusion pump is ready for the future. Software-driven control and the touch-screen user interface ensure ready adaptability to meet evolving market and regulatory requirements. The Sapphire is ready for enhanced connectivity, including Wi-Fi, enabling online calibration, upgrades and service. It is barcode reader-ready, to facilitate infusion management and improve safety; and it is locator technology-ready, which reduces the risk of loss. It also can be cost-effectively upgraded, including the addition of new infusion modes of operation.

The Sapphire features a unique, dual anti-free-flow mechanism in the pump and administration set, which prevents fluid free flow. The pump also has built in systems to stop the infusion and alert the clinician when the infusion is interrupted due to upstream or downstream occlusions or should air enter the line.  
A common cause of problems with infusion delivery is the complexity of using standard volumetric pumps. With its intuitive, full-color touch-screen interface, the Sapphire is very simple to use, making it easier for staff to ensure medication infusions are delivered correctly, thus reducing risk to the patient. The interface provides clearly visible indications of activity and infusion parameters, making it easy for medical staff to confirm the correct dosage and mode.
Set up is simple, requiring minimal steps and any adjustment needed in mid-infusion, such as changing infusion parameters in the event of an alarm, is also fast and easy to manage
The integrated drug library, high accuracy and very short startup time help ensure medication infusions are delivered efficiently, at the correct dosage and rate for the patient.
Password protected screens and four authorization levels ensure only authorized users can activate, adjust or stop the pump.

The Sapphire pump includes several safety mechanisms that prevent air from entering the system when the treatment is concluded. 

• The pump issues an audible and visual alert five minutes before end of treatment. 
• The pump issues an audible and visual alert for upstream occlusion
• VTBI entry ensures that treatment is complete before the bag empties, eliminating the risk of air entering the tubing.

The Sapphire pump is very durable. It has been proven in external tests to provide seven years mean time between failures (MTBF). It carries a dust and water ingress rating of IP24 – which is better than most infusion pumps. In the event liquid is spilled on the pump, ongoing treatment is not affected. The Sapphire pump has been extensively drop-tested and certified according to the most stringent relevant standards. In addition, the unique dual processor provides another layer of protection, as proper pump operation continues even if one processor fails.

The Sapphire pump has been certified to be resilient against damage in drop tests; and we have growing field experience and usage history that highlights its resistance to damage. Unlike other pumps, the door does not influence the correct operation of the pumping mechanism. Therefore should the door have sustained damage due to a fall, it will not adversely affect the correct operation of the pump or negatively influence treatment. Replacement of the door takes less than five minutes.

Yes. The pump has been tested with all standard hospital disinfectants and its operation has not been affected. Likewise, industrial and medical grade disinfectant will not adversely affect the finish and appearance of the pump case.

Q Core volumetric infusion pump systems are in use at numerous medical sites around the world, including leading hospitals and oncology clinics, varied homecare sites and top research institutes in, France, Italy, Israel and Turkey. The list of Q Core users is growing quickly; please contact us  to receive more information.

Q Core is committed to a rigorous program of testing and trials covering all aspects of pump safety, performance, and efficacy. Results from the following evaluations are available:

• Bench testing – performed at hospitals around the world
• Data-log analysis 
• On-going clinical testing – References will be provided upon request

It depends on the policy of the individual distributor. Please contact us to find a distributor in your area.

It depends on the policy of the individual distributor. Please contact us to find a distributor in your area.

Q Core pumps are available with a total 7-year warranty,* significantly exceeding the market standard. The initial 2-year warranty is offered standard with all pumps, and an extended 5-year warranty is available at an annual low cost. This enables hospitals to amortize the cost of pumps over seven years, instead of the standard three and five years.
* Details may vary, based on the distributor.

Once the 2-year initial warranty or 7-year extended warranty has expired, Q Core will continue to handle all repairs  Q Core commits to providing replacement parts at low cost and to a pre-determined fixed price list for any and all repairs. Q Core also trains and facilitates repairs by hospital staff, charging for replacement parts at the aforementioned low price.

Q Core offers the service outside the hospital. Repairs are handled either by Q Core itself, or via the distributor, depending on location. Q Core also trains and facilitates hospital biomedical engineering staff to implements most repairs. Most problems can be fixed online at the hospital, by the biomedical engineering department. Replacement parts for Q Core pumps are available at low cost, and the company offers predetermined pricing for any fixes required.

No dedicated fixtures or jigs are required for testing and/or repair

Yes, Q Core provides training and equipment to enable the hospital’s biomedical engineering department to repair pumps onsite. Q Core offers special kits that assist in repairing the pump. Spare parts will be provided at low cost. A full price list is available from the distributor.

Testing and calibrating the Sapphire pump is easy, fast and cost effective. In the near future it will be possible to perform Annual Certification at point of care (POC) with a patented kit that will be made available from Q Core. This will eliminate shipping costs and maximize pump uptime. 
Calibration is rarely needed. In general, less than 5% of Sapphire pumps will need annual calibration in addition to the certification. Calibration is performed using a PC-based methodology, with no need for special hardware.

It is very easy to update and load new information to Q Core pumps. The drug library can be updated by a certified hospital user via any PC. Pumps can be updated with the new library and other information onsite, with up to 8 pump units being updated simultaneously.

Q Core provides the following software and support tools:

• Drug library editor
• Log downloader
• Software version uploader (up to eight pumps in parallel)
• Web-based certification tool to be provided in the near future

The Sapphire pump keeps a history log of 8,000 events. The log is retrievable through both a View System option on the pump and a Log Downloader on any PC.

No. Rechargeable batteries must be used with the Sapphire infusion pump. The rechargeable batteries ensure excellent performance and reduce cost. The Sapphire infusion pump uses a rechargeable lithium battery that has a life of 24 hours at 125 ml/hr. Full battery charge takes just four hours and it can be done while the pump is running. The battery needs to be replaced only once every two years.
Using rechargeable batteries provides an important environmental benefit, as a fleet of 1000 pumps using AA batteries would create almost three tons of battery waste every year.