How does a medical IV work?

On what principle does a medical IV work?

Answer

There is nothing complicated about the design of a medical dropper (infusion system). The solution, under the influence of gravity, flows from the bottle into a polyethylene tube, passes through an air valve (dropper) with a filter, and again through the tube enters through a needle into a vein. If there were no air valve, negative pressure would be created in the bottle and liquid would stop coming out of it.

After the droplet maker, there is usually a control device that regulates the flow rate of the solution.

Infusion therapy (or the administration of drugs and blood to a patient using a drip system) is recognized as one of the effective methods of treatment. A dropper is a medical device with which a fairly large volume of liquid is introduced into the individual’s body. One end of it is connected to a bottle or bag containing medicine or blood, and the other to the patient’s vein. The following types of systems are distinguished:

dropper for blood transfusion (or abbreviated as PC);
for transfusion of solutions - PR.

IV catheters

These medical devices are used to introduce drugs into the bloodstream over a long period. A catheter is a small hollow tube that is inserted into a vein in different parts of the body (arms, head, collarbone). With its help, injury to the vein is eliminated. Installation is carried out in stationary conditions. There are several types of catheters for IVs:

Butterfly system. This medical product is a needle with plastic wings at the base. Their purpose is to attach the catheter to the patient’s skin.

Regardless of the type of catheter, its size matters. Products are marked according to color depending on this parameter:

Orange. This color indicates thick catheters intended for viscous solutions and blood components.
Violet. This tone is used for the thinnest products that are used for infusion of solutions.

How to install the system (drip)?

To set it up correctly, you need to do a little preparatory work, which will consist of the following:

Place a drip stand next to the patient, which is a stand on which the bag with the infused solution will be attached.
Wash your wrists and hands thoroughly with soap, not forgetting the areas between the fingers. Next, they need to be blotted dry rather than wiped. Or you can use any antiseptic intended for hand treatment.
Check the name of the drug prepared for administration with the prescription of the treating doctor.
Prepare the system, needle, tourniquet, fixation patch, cotton or gauze swab, alcohol solution of chlorhexidine for sterilization.
In the package with the medicine, find the connection point to which the system will be connected and wipe it with a swab soaked in an alcohol solution.
Attach the dropper and the bag, hang it on the stand.
Remove all bubbles.
Wear gloves.
Approach the patient.

Now proceeds directly to setting up the IV:

Bandage your hand with a tourniquet over the puncture site.
Disinfect the injection site.
Install a catheter, which is a small tube that is inserted along with the needle, and after it is removed remains in the vein. Place it at an angle of 30 degrees to the patient's arm. Next, remove the needle and remove the tourniquet. Wipe the area where the catheter is attached with an alcohol solution.
Attach the IV tube to the catheter, securing it with a bandage.
Adjust the speed of drug administration using a special wheel-clamp installed on the system.

Principle of operation

The liquid from the bottle or bag, under the influence of gravity, enters the tube, passes through the droplet, again goes through the tube and then enters the vein. The filter and air valve prevent the formation of negative pressure in the system. Otherwise, the liquid will not drip. There are needles on both sides of the drip system, one of which is needed to connect to the drug container, and the other to puncture the vein. The drug enters the reservoir through a filter and is then dosed using a pipette.

The available regulator allows you to reduce or increase the drop rate depending on how the drug is administered: drip or stream. The reservoir is initially filled with a small volume of liquid and care is taken to ensure that there is no air in the tube. To start feeding the solution into the system, a needle is inserted into the lid of the container with the drug, which is used to supply air inside, otherwise the liquid will not flow out. Currently, all medical organizations use disposable IV systems, which is the safest.

Indications for use

Sodium chloride droppers are prescribed for the treatment of acute conditions, or for diluting various drugs for acute and chronic diseases.

Examples of using the medicine in conjunction with other drugs are as follows:

with Diphenhydramine
(Diphenhydramine) - for urticaria, anaphylactic shock, and other allergic reactions;
with Drotaverine
- for renal colic;
with Pyridoxine
- for muscle pain, diseases of the nervous system;
with Lincomycin
- for pneumonia, abscesses, sepsis.

An isotonic solution is prescribed to adults and children with a lack of sodium in the body. This occurs more often with acute or chronic dehydration (for example, with intestinal infections, poisoning with diarrhea and vomiting).

Also, the indications for use of the solution are as follows:

acidosis;
overdose of hormonal agents, antibiotics and other drugs;
acute heart failure;
hypokalemia;
maintaining the required volume of fluid during operations and after bleeding;
burn disease.

During pregnancy, the drug is administered for severe toxicosis, for severe edema, as a detoxification method, for a sharp drop in blood pressure during childbirth, after a cesarean section.

Also, saline solution is often dripped in case of alcohol, drug intoxication, or in case of overdose of drugs for potency and weight loss (for example, Yohimbine).

A hypertonic solution (2-3%) copes well with pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, and is recommended for severe electrolyte imbalances and to stop increased urination. Wounds are washed with a stronger solution (10%) and enemas are given to cleanse the intestines.

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Infusion therapy

Injecting drugs directly into a venous vessel is a modern method of treating emergency conditions. Based on the speed of infusion of drugs, there are two types:

Drip. With this method of administration, the required drug is dissolved and then, using a special system, is introduced into the vessel. Due to the fact that the drug is in a fairly diluted form, the harmful effects on the vascular wall are minimal.
Jet. This type is divided into slow and bolus administration. The latter leads to a maximum concentration at the end of the infusion and then, after some time, it decreases in plasma. The rate of increase in concentration with slow administration is significantly lower.

The effect of the therapy is due to the fact that the drug immediately enters the blood. However, with this method of administration there is a risk of complications. Therefore, the high professionalism of medical workers performing these manipulations, as well as the quality of the materials from which medical products are made, are very important. For all types of infusions, infusion systems for droppers are used. The medical market offers a wide range of these products.

Water purification

Particular attention should be paid to the purification of irrigation water. Otherwise, all drip irrigation lines may fail in the middle of the season - the drippers quickly become clogged with dirty water. For slotted tape, this issue is more critical than for emitter tape.

Important: special attention must be paid to cleaning irrigation water, otherwise all drip irrigation lines may fail in the middle of the season.

Moreover, the lower the water consumption of the dripper, the thinner the channels for releasing water, which means that filtration must be carried out more thoroughly. You can focus on the following indicators:

if the water flow rate of the dripper is less than 1.0 l/h, then increased filtration is required due to very thin channels for water release;
if the water flow rate of the dropper is more than 2.0 l/h, then such a tape is less sensitive to the quality of water filtration.

Infusion systems

They are used for infusion of solutions and medications in liquid form. Composition of the infusion system:

a special device that pierces the lid and has a built-in air valve;
dropper with filter;
cameras;
a flexible long tube with a clamp regulator with which the infusion is regulated.

The dropper system with filter allows you to retain clots larger than 30 microns. The product is used once. The material used in their manufacture is transparent and allows you to see air bubbles, the level of the solution, and the speed at which drops fall.

Distance between outlets

Another important factor to consider when choosing drip irrigation is “tape pitch.” It is selected based on the needs of the crop being grown.

Melon crops require a large distance between holes - from 40 cm, a step of 30 cm is optimal for tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and potatoes. A distance of 10-20 cm is suitable for densely planted plants such as garlic, parsley, lettuce, and onions. This tape is also used for sandy and light soils; here the ground is literally moistened with a continuous line.

Types of transfusion systems

Based on the size of the filter cells, the drip system is divided into infusion products:

solutions;
blood and blood substitutes.

A correctly selected system taking into account the cell size is the key to successful therapy. For example, to administer a solution of glucose or electrolytes, small cells will prevent harmful impurities from entering the bloodstream. And in the case of transfusion of blood products, such cells will quickly become clogged with blood elements, and the infusion process will stop.

Based on the type of needle used, which is connected to a bag or bottle, systems are distinguished:

with a metal needle;
with a polymer needle or plastic spike.

The choice of infusion system for the drip in this case will depend on the container in which the drug is located. A metal needle is used for glass containers, and a polymer needle is used for bags.

Reviews

08/31/2020 This is not the first time I have applied to your medical center for tests, IVs and more.
The doctors are wonderful, the service is top notch. The staff is friendly and attentive. Vyunova G.V.

02/15/2020 02/15/2020 I express my deep gratitude to neurologist Sergei Yuryevich Vasilenko.
I asked for a consultation after an MRI of the spine. The doctor conducted the appointment very carefully and professionally. In the future I would like to visit Sergei Yuryevich if I suddenly need his consultation. He spent enough time and explained everything very clearly. I was 100% satisfied with the consultation. I wish there were more such attentive and professional specialists. PS Good luck to Sergei Yuryevich in his medical practice. Reshetnyak V.N.

04/28/2018 I underwent IV drips at this clinic.
She came “crawling” and left dancing. High level of professionalism and skill. Now only here. I recommend to all. Evgenia

05/27/2018 I contacted the RIORIT center based on a recommendation.
I immediately noted the polite administrators, who provided complete, competent information at every visit. I would like to express my deep gratitude to therapist N.D. Telegina. Her recommendations, treatment and prescribed procedures literally lifted me to my feet. The magic droppers had a very strong therapeutic effect for me. After the first visits, I decided to bring my husband. He completed a course of IV drips with good effect. Patient

04/16/2016 We, a family of 2, were examined at the “RIORIT” MC, we really liked the fast and good service, we had intravenous drips painlessly, and all the tests were ready on time.
I would especially like to note the sensitive and attentive attitude of the doctor - a therapist from God - Natalya Dmitrievna Telegina. We wish you continued prosperity and excellent service. Reutova Lina and Reutov Alexey

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