Original Article

Investigation of Fatigue Failure of S-65-HL “Super Tygon” Roller Pump Tubing

¹ Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Biomedical Instrumentation, Department of Materials Engineering, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
² Nursing, Department of Materials Engineering, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
³ Pediatrics, Department of Materials Engineering, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
⁴ Drexel University, Department of Materials Engineering, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

^* Address correspondence to: Edward J. Snyder, CBET, Supervisor Department of Biomedical Instrumentation 520 Main Building Thomas Jefferson University Hospital 1 020 Sanson Street Philadelphia, PA 19107

Abstract

A failure analysis was performed on Norton S-65-HL Tygon^00AE tubing. Fatigue testing was performed on four sizes of this tubing, and essentially showed how the tubing wears out. A dynamic “life hours to failure” test, which was performed on the 3/8" internal diameter (ID) size, quantified when the tubing ruptured. Based on results of laboratory testing and the institution's clinical extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) experience, a reasonable life expectancy for the 3/8" S-65-HL Tygon^® size was determined for use in this institution's neonatal ECMO system.

An understanding of the expected performance of roller pump tubing - an integral component of the ECMO system - is imperative to providing safe, effective extracorporeallife support.