The CICM question relating to this device (Question 22.3from the first paper of 2010) had nothing to ask about the device itself, but rather was interested in the physics of fluid movement: " What are the major determinants of fluid flow through this device?" The Poiseuille relationship is discussed elsewhere. Fortunately, LITFL have a good overview.
Poiseuilles formula is:
Flow = (π × pressure gradient × radius4) / ( 8 × viscosity × length of tubing)
Thus, for every doubling of the radius, the flow rate increases by the fourth power, or by sixteen times.
The actual device itself is sufficiently interesting to merit some discussion.
Firstly, it is a rather beautiful device.
Secondly, and in briefest summary, its operative features are:
Its safety features include:
The Arrow propaganda booklet contains all the relevant information for this device.
It does not contain the most important part, however, which is the rate of flow though it.
Fortunately, some clever Canadian has gone so far as to test this catheter and a whole bunch of other catheters to determine their maximal flow rates with normal saline. The RIC performed best, delivering a torrential flow rate of 600ml/min (603 +/- 21ml, to be precise; and without a spring-loaded cannula hub).
Brown, N., Kaylene M. Duttchen, and J. W. Caveno. "An evaluation of flow rates of normal saline through peripheral and central venous catheters." American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, Orlando. Anesthesiology. 2008.