What is an infusion pump?
Intravenous infusion pump is a device for the administration of drugs or medical products for the treatment of elevated blood pressure. By using these perfusion pumps, the drug is introduced through an active propulsion mechanism.
The use of this system allows the administration of highly viscous drugs through small catheters that are introduced into the vein. For the application of the drug using this technique, in addition to preparing the substance, it is necessary to calculate the appropriate perfusion speed.
The most commonly used areas for administering drugs through perfusion pumps are: the dorsal venous network of the hand, the forearm, the antecubital fossa, the arm, the dorsal venous network of the foot and the inguinal area. There are three types of pumps: positive displacement pumps, linear peristaltic pumps and peristaltic pumps.
Why is it used?
The perfusion or infusion pump is mainly used to administer drugs to a patient to whom it would otherwise be almost impossible to administer them.
The use of this pump makes it possible to determine an accuracy in the administration of medication into a patient’s body. This machine allows all types of medical solutions, including blood, to be administered.
Photograph of a perfusion pump
What is a perfusion pump?
- Positive displacement pumps: these are the most commonly used pumps. In this case, this type of pump is usually divided into two, cassette and syringe pumps. In the case of cassette pumps, this has an integrated chamber into which a small valve allows the liquid to pass while there is a pause in the pumping process. At the moment it is restarted, the valve closes, forcing the liquid to move towards the patient without returning to the bag.
Syringe systems, on the other hand, are characterized by being very precise. They are divided between those specifically designed for the patient to control the administration of analgesics and the standard one. - Linear peristaltic pumps: these have evolved over the years and today have a precision similar to that of positive displacement pumps. In this case, the liquid flows down a straight channel to be introduced into the patient.
- Rotary peristaltic pumps: this is the least precise pump system and is generally not used for intravenous medication, but is more focused on the administration of food, such as parenteral nutrition. It is also used for blood infusion during surgical interventions, such as heart surgery or bypass surgery, or in blood banks.
Preparation for the procedure
No extensive preparation is necessary to undergo treatment with a perfusion pump. If the patient is not admitted to the hospital, he can undergo the test on an outpatient basis or even by himself.
Care after the procedure
As this is a simple procedure, no special care is required after the infiltration, apart from careful and hygienic removal of the skin entry site.