Testing of infusion pumps

INFUSION

In medicine, infusion (from the Latin infusio „infusion, pouring, pouring in“, and infundere „to pour in, penetrate“) refers to the continuous, usually parenteral administration of liquid medication (infusion therapy) (as opposed to a single injection). In addition to intravenous administration, subcutaneous, intraosseous and arterial administration are also possible

Certain therapy methods generally involve the use of infusions, e.g. fluid administration, volume replacement or substitution, volume therapy and osmotherapy. The administration of blood components by infusion is referred to as transfusion.

In addition to pure fluid therapy, infusion solutions are also used in parenteral nutrition and as carrier solutions if a certain duration of administration is not to be exceeded or certain maximum concentrations of active substances at the infusion site are not to be exceeded (electrolyte therapy, acid-base correction, antibiotic administration, chemotherapy, etc.).

Infusion pumps are devices for the controlled administration of fluids with or without medicinal components in order to maintain or restore the water and electrolyte balance. The administered substances can enter the body via a needle and a biomembrane. They can be used for the electronic control of the delivery rate of the administered medium. An infusion pump can be used to administer fluids at fixed intervals, regularly or irregularly.

Infusion syringe pump

The aims of infusion therapy are:

• Compensation of fluid/volume losses
• Regulation of the water-electrolyte balance
• Regulation of the acid-base balance
• Artificial nutrition
• Administration of medication

Patients can be transported with an infusion pump, as infusion pumps are meanwhile mobile.

TYPES OF INFUSION PUMPS

Elastomeric pumps:

Elastomeric pumps are used to administer liquid medication such as local anesthetics or antibiotics. The elastomer balloon expands elastically when filled with the infusion fluid.
This builds up pressure which is maintained until the end of the dose. As the delivery rate of this system increases towards the end, a flow limiter made of a fine glass capillary is inserted at the front and serves to regulate the delivery rate.

Advantages	Disadvantages
High reliability	Single application
High dosing accuracy of medication	Positioning of the pump has an influence on the delivery rate

 

Syringe pumps:

Syringe pumps are electronically controlled. The electronics regulates the speed of the motor with the help of which the syringe plunger is slowly inserted and the liquid can be slowly dispensed in a controlled manner. The speed (delivery rate), the path (volume) and the power (pressure) with which the syringe plunger is inserted are controlled.

Syringe pump (Smith medical)

Advantages	Disadvantages
Well suited for the administration of small volumes	Infusion fluid may be supplied with delay due to mechanical inertia
Electronically controlled	Positioning of the pump has an influence on the delivery rate

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