A fundamental redesign of fluid management technology developed by leading neurosurgeons, the IRRAflow system demonstrates a significant technological step forward compared to other currently available treatment options. IRRAflow’s transformational technology provides a controlled fluid exchange system that allows the neurosurgeon to actively manage intracranial pressure and CSF drainage.

Active Fluid Exchange

When the brain is disturbed by traumatic brain injury, infection, or some other incident, its ability to autoregulate is often impacted, and the intracranial pressure (ICP) exerted by brain tissue, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), and blood can increase to unsafe levels. When this occurs, excess fluid must be drained to reduce the swelling of the brain and stabilize the patient.

Drainage systems, such as external ventricular drains (EVDs), are vital tools in managing a patient’s ICP during these emergency situations. By draining excess fluid, an EVD plays a critical role in the recovery of these critically ill patients. Unfortunately, EVDs are generally primitive systems that rely solely on gravity alone, and as a result, they have been plagued by blockages that can lead to inefficient drainage and other complications.

IRRAflow® addresses this inefficient drainage by returning control of the drainage process to the clinician. Dynamic fluid management takes place in a closed-circulatory system where pressure is continuously monitored and adjusted through cyclical fluid irrigation and drainage using a unique dual-lumen catheter design. As a result, the drainage rate can be actively guided and optimized for each patient.

Potential to Reduce Occlusions & Infections

The evolution of EVD technology has been limited, so neurosurgeons and ICU staff still deal with catheter occlusion rates up to 40%1 as well as infection rates that can range from 2 – 24%2. At IRRAS, we believe that it is time for a needed step forward in fluid management technology that addresses these clinical challenges and improves outcomes.
IRRAflow®’s innovative closed system design responds to these issues with its use of a proprietary dual-lumen catheter and automated software to drain excess fluid in a controlled fashion. On a regular basis, IRRAflow provides an irrigation pulse to flush the catheter, which keeps the holes in the catheter tip unobstructed and prevents catheter blockages from forming. By doing so, IRRAflow eliminates the need for nursing staff to manually inject fluids to keep the catheter open and also reduces the likelihood that the drainage catheter will have to be replaced to allow drainage to continue. By reducing these possibilities, IRRAflow’s completely closed system removes opportunities for outside pathogens to be introduced, which can reduce the chance of infection for the patient.

Fluid Management Done Right

IRRAflow Demonstrating Clot Removal with Active Fluid Exchange

Designed with Cost Effectiveness in Mind

The IRRAflow® system is a long overdue step forward in the management of fluids and ICP in neuro ICU patients. It has been designed to address the shortcomings of existing technologies and provides an intelligent, next-generation solution.
Increased complications and incomplete drainage can lead to extended ICU time for patients, which means additional costs for patients and the hospital. With actively-managed, controlled drainage and a potential reduction in catheter blockages and associated complications, IRRAflow is designed to help patients recover faster. In early clinical experience with the system, in a collection of 32 subdural hematoma patients treated1, IRRAflow showed positive clinical outcomes with shorter treatment timelines than conventional treatment methods, which resulted in estimated cost savings of between EUR 4,300 and EUR 7,700 per patient.

Treatment with IRRAflow may result in significant health economic benefits:

Easy Integration in Clinical Practice

Although IRRAflow® incorporates new technology into its management of ICP and fluids, it still fits within your traditional treatment algorithm. The IRRAflow catheter is placed similarly to other drainage systems while providing the added benefits of preventing catheter occlusion. Additionally, the catheter interfaces with an innovative tube set and portable control unit that has an intuitive touchscreen with a rapid learning curve. This interface allows for easy setup of ICP monitoring and drainage settings for each patient as well as customized alarms when the patient’s condition falls outside of these parameters. This interface is designed to increase patient safety while also reducing the manual monitoring burden on ICU nursing staff.