Northern California's Comprehensive Thalassemia Center at at Children's Hospital Oakland

Desferal

Bone Marrow Transplant

Donor Cord Blood

Human Leukocyte Antigen

Desferal Supplies

Comprehensive Online
Desferal Guide

Pump This is the machine which is used to infuse the medicine from the syringe into your body. Which company you get your pump from and how your Desferal is infused determines the type of pump you will have.

Some pumps include:

Graseby: Graseby pumps are the most widely used pump in the United States when administering sub-Q Desferal.
Marcal: This name brand pump is mostly found in Europe.
Cad: The cad pump is loaned to patients from their health care company and is used more often with patients who have ports, pic-lines or those who use higher grams of Desferal.
Elastomeric Home Pump "C": This new pump, available through I-Flow (http://www.i-flowcorp.com/), delivers Desferal through a positive pressure system and does not require batteries.
Crono Pump IntraPump: This newest pump is extremely small, weighs 4 oz, is quiet and very simple to program. It can be worn discreetly under your clothing or in your pocket. You can infuse anytime, anywhere - it's very user friendly! 5. Crono Pump IntraPump: this newest pump is extremely small, weighs 4 oz, is quiet and very simple to program. It can be worn discreetly under your clothing or in your pocket. You can infuse anytime, anywhere - it's very user friendly! Link: IntraPump

Battery You will need a battery in order for your pump to run. Make sure your pump is working and always have one or two extra batteries just in case the current one dies. You can tell the battery is working by the light that flashes on your pump. If the light is blinking, it indicates the battery is working and the Desferal is being infused. The Graseby pump uses a standard 9-volt battery. Your health care company may supply the battery or you can buy it at any store which sells batteries. The CAD pump also uses a regular 9-volt battery. Finally, taking the battery out after use prolongs its life and prevents the pump from turning on when not in use.

Sharps Container This is used to throw away used needles and syringes. The law dictates that we can not throw away used needles and syringes along with our regular trash. Do not leave used needles lying about. Always dispose of them properly. Sharps containers are red and come in many different sizes and shapes. They should be given to you with your Desferal supplies. You only need to throw away needles and syringes. Desferal and sterile water vials, alcohol, tape, and their packaging can all go into your regular garbage can.

The best way to find out about new supplies and different techniques is by talking to other patients. You can learn a lot from your peers to help you find a way that works for you and makes using your pump a little easier!

Northern Comprehensive Thalassemia Center