Using and looking after your Rocket Medical aspiration pump

In this guide, we will cover the importance of looking after your Rocket Medical aspiration pump, as well as sharing some tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your device.

Rocket Medical aspiration pumps are used in in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to retrieve oocytes or eggs for use in fertility treatments. They provide smooth, low volume vacuum at pre-determined negative pressures. There are 3 versions of the aspiration pump produced by Rocket Medical: Digital, Craft, and DUO-VAC.

Digital: Arguably the easiest model to use, featuring a digital display (as the name suggests) with a touch sensitive dial for adjusting the pressure set point. The digital display makes it easy to read the pressure at a glance, whilst the touch sensitive dial allows for precise pressure adjustment.

Craft: An analogue device with a smaller composition. Pressure can be viewed via a window and is adjusted using a control knob built into the housing. This is an older model which comes with a single button foot switch only to begin vacuum at the set pressure, whereas the Digital model comes with a 2-button foot switch which allows the user to begin the vacuum at the set pressure (white) or maximum pressure (black).

DUO-VAC: A newer version of the above Craft model but comes with a dual button footswitch (like the Digital model) instead.

In relation to using the Rocket Medical aspiration pump, we are frequently asked how to use the pump effectively. In answer to this, the best resource to consult is always the user manual. The user manual tells you everything you need to know from preparing the pump for use to cleaning it. If you would like a copy of the user manual for any of the models above, please submit a request to service@ivfsynergy.com

Next, we will cover and troubleshoot the most frequent issues brought to our attention by users:

The foot switch is not working: Ensure there are no kinks in the wiring that connects the foot switch to the pump. Tightly wrapping the wiring around the foot switch will put strain on the wires, leading to reduction in suction and eventually complete loss. If this occurs, the foot switch cannot be repaired, and a new foot switch must be purchased.

Damage to the Digital pump casing: If handled incorrectly, the Digital pump’s casing can chip and/or become cracked. To prevent this, especially when sending the pump to us for service, please ensure it is well protected, sent in the original box within a secondary box, and sent with a reputable carrier via a traceable service.

The selected pressure won’t lock in on the Digital pump:

 This is likely because the user has not confirmed the desired value. Once the desired value has been selected, hold your finger still for 2 seconds until you hear an audible beep. This noise confirms the new settings.

The pump will no longer aspirate:

It is possible fluid has entered the inside of the pump. This often happens when the filter set is not used and/or replaced after every use. Furthermore, the pump may no longer aspirate if the motor has worn out. If this occurs, it will need to be sent to us for repair. As an act of preventative maintenance, certain moving and perishable components are replaced every year to minimise the risk of the pump failing, however, this does not guarantee the pump will last forever.

If you are interested in purchasing a Rocket Medical aspiration pump and/or any of the accessories (e.g. filter sets), please contact technical@ivfsynergy.com