How to Use
DEFINITY®


How to Activate DEFINITY®
DEFINITY® is activated using a VIALMIX® or VIALMIX® RFID, which ensures consistent activation of DEFINITY®.1 Before activating DEFINITY®, allow the refrigerated vial to warm to room temperature.1


DEFINITY® is the only ultrasound enhancing agent that uses mechanical activation, which contributes to its consistent image quality1-4
DEFINITY® can be reactivated, allowing up to 48 hours of use from the initial activation5
How to Store DEFINITY®
DEFINITY® can be conveniently stored in multiple care settings.1 For greater efficiency, DEFINITY® can be dispensed using the Pyxis MedStation™ ES system.*
*Pyxis MedStation™ ES System is a trademark of Becton, Dickinson and Company.
DEFINITY® offers 2 supply options1:
- Four 2 mL vials
- Sixteen 2 mL vials
Store DEFINITY® between 36° to 46°F.1
Dosing
DEFINITY® is the only ultrasound enhancing agent with flexible dosing options,
including diluted bolus, continuous infusion, and bolus.1,3,4 Each option can be
implemented using the PINSYNC® or needle method.1 Click below for instructions on
dosing by your specific method.
DEFINITY® Dosing Videos
DILUTED BOLUS
CONTINUOUS INFUSION
BOLUS
Step 1 — Choose Administration Method
Step 2 — Choose Withdrawal Technique
Diluted Bolus
DEFINITY® is the only ultrasound enhancing agent approved for use in a diluted form.1,3,4 Diluted bolus is the most common DEFINITY® administration option. This method simplifies administration by combining activated DEFINITY® and preservative-free saline in the same syringe.
How to Prepare DEFINITY® for Diluted Bolus
Diluted Bolus Dosing With PINSYNC® (Vented Vial Adapter 13 mm)
PINSYNC® (Vented Vial Adapter 13 mm) enables the safe, simple, and efficient transfer of activated DEFINITY® from vial to syringe.
Supplies
- PINSYNC®*
- 10 mL syringe filled with 8.7 mL preservative-free saline
Instructions
WARNING: Do not remove PINSYNC® from the package and do not use the adapter if the package is damaged or if the adapter comes out of the package.*
- Remove cover from the PINSYNC® package
- Place the activated DEFINITY® vial on a flat surface, hold the PINSYNC® package, and push the PINSYNC® vial adapter straight down onto the DEFINITY® vial top until it snaps securely into place
- Remove the package without touching the exposed end of the vial adapter as this will cause contamination
- Attach the 10 mL syringe filled with 8.7 mL preservative-free saline to the vial adapter with a clockwise twisting motion. Do not inject air into the DEFINITY® vial
- Invert vial and slowly withdraw 1.3 mL activated DEFINITY®
- Hold vial adapter by the skirt; remove syringe from PINSYNC® with a counterclockwise twisting motion
- Gently agitate the syringe by hand to evenly distribute microbubbles
- Administer 1 to 2 mL slowly with subsequent injections as needed
*Please refer to the PINSYNC® Instructions for Use (IFU).
Diluted Bolus
DEFINITY® is the only ultrasound enhancing agent approved for use in a diluted form.1,3,4 Diluted bolus is the most common DEFINITY® administration option. This method simplifies administration by combining activated DEFINITY® and preservative-free saline in the same syringe.
How to Prepare DEFINITY® for Diluted Bolus
Diluted Bolus Dosing With Needle Method
DEFINITY® can be administered using the traditional needle method.
Supplies
- 18- or 20-gauge needles
- 10 mL syringe filled with 8.7 mL preservative-free saline
Instructions
When using a needle method, it is important to vent the vial. This avoids negative pressure in the vial which prevents microbubble disruption and allows for easier withdrawal.
- Vent the vial by placing needle tip in the activated DEFINITY® vial
- Attach an 18- or 20-gauge unfiltered needle to the 10 mL syringe filled with 8.7 mL preservative-free saline and place the needle in the vial
- Invert vial and slowly withdraw 1.3 mL activated DEFINITY® from the middle of the liquid without injecting air into the vial
- Gently agitate the syringe by hand to evenly distribute microbubbles
- Administer 1 to 2 mL slowly with subsequent injections as needed
For more details on the diluted bolus method, watch this instructional video.
Continuous Infusion
The DEFINITY® continuous infusion administration method combines 1.3 mL activated DEFINITY® in a 50 mL bag of preservative-free saline offering consistent image enhancement well suited for exams performed over an extended period.1 DEFINITY® is the only ultrasound enhancing agent approved for use in a diluted form.1,3,4
How to Prepare DEFINITY® for Continuous Infusion*
Continuous Infusion Dosing With PINSYNC® (Vented Vial Adapter 13 mm)
PINSYNC® (Vented Vial Adapter 13 mm) enables the safe, simple, and efficient transfer of activated DEFINITY® from vial to syringe.
Supplies
- PINSYNC®*
- 50 mL bag of preservative-free saline
- 3 mL syringe
Instructions
WARNING: Do not remove PINSYNC® from the package and do not use the adapter if the package is damaged or if the adapter comes out of the package.*
- Remove cover from the PINSYNC® package
- Place the activated DEFINITY® vial on a flat surface, hold the PINSYNC® package, and push the PINSYNC® vial adapter straight down onto the DEFINITY® vial top until it snaps securely into place
- Remove the package without touching the exposed end of the vial adapter as this will cause contamination
- Attach the 3 mL syringe to the vial adapter with a clockwise twisting motion. Do not inject air into the DEFINITY® vial
- Invert vial and slowly withdraw 1.3 mL activated DEFINITY®
- Hold vial adapter by the skirt; remove syringe from PINSYNC® with a counterclockwise twisting motion
- Attach an 18- or 20-gauge unfiltered needle to the syringe and slowly add 1.3 mL activated DEFINITY® into the 50 mL bag of preservative-free saline
- Gently agitate the syringe by hand to evenly distribute microbubbles
Titrate drip rate at 4 mL/minute or a maximum of 10 mL/minute. Adjust flow rate for optimal image enhancement.1
*Please refer to the PINSYNC® Instructions for Use (IFU).
Continuous Infusion
The DEFINITY® continuous infusion administration method combines 1.3 mL activated DEFINITY® in a 50 mL bag of preservative-free saline offering consistent image enhancement well suited for exams performed over an extended period.1 DEFINITY® is the only ultrasound enhancing agent approved for use in a diluted form.1,3,4
How to Prepare DEFINITY® for Continuous Infusion1*
Continuous Infusion Dosing With Needle Method
DEFINITY® can be administered using the traditional needle method.
Supplies
- 50 mL bag of preservative-free saline
- 3 mL syringe
- 18- or 20-gauge unfiltered needles
Instructions
When using a needle method, it is important to vent the vial. This avoids negative pressure in the vial which prevents microbubble disruption and allows for easier withdrawal.
- Vent vial with a needle by placing needle tip in the activated DEFINITY® vial
- Attach an 18- or 20-gauge unfiltered needle to the 3 mL syringe and place the needle in the vial
- Invert vial and slowly withdraw 1.3 mL activated DEFINITY® from the middle of the liquid without injecting air into the vial
- Add 1.3 mL activated DEFINITY® into the 50 mL bag of preservative-free saline
- Gently squeeze bag to evenly distribute microbubbles
Titrate drip rate at 4 mL/minute or a maximum of 10 mL/minute. Adjust flow rate for optimal image enhancement.1
For more details on the continuous infusion
method, watch this instructional video.
Bolus
The DEFINITY® bolus administration method is a simple, straight bolus injection, followed by a saline flush, offering easy, rapid DEFINITY® enhancement in small doses.1
How to Prepare DEFINITY® for Bolus
Bolus Dosing With PINSYNC® (Vented Vial Adapter 13 mm)
PINSYNC® (Vented Vial Adapter 13 mm) enables the safe, simple, and efficient transfer of activated DEFINITY® from vial to syringe.
Supplies
- PINSYNC®
- 10 mL syringe filled with saline
- 3 mL or tuberculin syringe
- 3-way stopcock (optional)
Instructions
WARNING: Do not remove PINSYNC® from the package and do not use the adapter if the package is damaged or if the adapter comes out of the package.*
- Remove cover from the PINSYNC® package
- Place the activated DEFINITY® vial on a flat surface, hold the PINSYNC® package and push the PINSYNC® vial adapter straight down onto the DEFINITY® vial top until it snaps securely in place
- Remove the package without touching the exposed end of the vial adapter as this will cause contamination
- Attach the 3 mL or tuberculin syringe to the vial adapter with a clockwise twist and without injecting air into the DEFINITY® vial
- Invert vial and slowly withdraw 10 µL/kg activated DEFINITY®
- Hold vial adapter by the skirt; remove syringe from PINSYNC® with a counterclockwise twisting motion
- Administer slowly over 30 to 60 seconds. Follow with a 10 mL saline flush. Administer a subsequent injection as needed followed by saline flush
Smaller, incremental dose amounts of 0.2 to 0.3 mL are better suited for current ultrasound system technology.
Maximum allowable dose: 20 µL/kg
*Please refer to the PINSYNC® Instructions for Use (IFU).
Bolus
The DEFINITY® bolus administration method is a simple, straight bolus injection, followed by a saline flush, offering easy, rapid DEFINITY® enhancement in small doses.1
How to Prepare DEFINITY® for Bolus
Bolus Dosing With Needle Method
DEFINITY® can be administered using the traditional needle method.
Supplies
- 18- or 20-gauge unfiltered needles
- 10 mL syringe filled with saline
- 3 mL or tuberculin syringe
- 3-way stopcock (optional)
Instructions
When using a needle method, it is important to vent the vial. This avoids negative pressure in the vial which prevents microbubble disruption and allows for easier withdrawal.
- Vent vial with a needle by placing needle tip in the activated DEFINITY® vial
- Attach an 18- or 20-gauge unfiltered needle to the 3 mL or tuberculin syringe and place needle in the vial
- Invert vial and slowly withdraw 10 µL/kg activated DEFINITY® from the middle of the liquid without injecting air into the vial
- Administer slowly over 30 to 60 seconds. Follow with a 10 mL saline flush. Administer a subsequent injection as needed followed by saline flush
Smaller, incremental dose amounts of 0.1 to 0.2 mL are better suited for current ultrasound system technology.
Maximum allowable dose: 20 µL/kg
For more details on the bolus method,
watch this instructional video.
References:
-
DEFINITY® [package insert]. N. Billerica, MA: Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc.
-
VialMix® User's Guide. N. Billerica, MA: Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc.
-
Optison™ [package insert]. Marlborough, MA: GE Healthcare Inc.
-
Lumason® [package insert]. Monroe Township, NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.
-
Data on File, N. Billerica, MA: Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc.