Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Construction and Implantation of a Microinfusion System for Sustained Delivery of Neuroactive Agents.
12:17

Construction and Implantation of a Microinfusion System for Sustained Delivery of Neuroactive Agents.

Published on: March 18, 2008

A portable infusion system for the ambulant child

A J Macnab

    The Journal of Pediatrics
    |April 1, 1976
    PubMed

    Insights

    A portable infusion system allows children to receive continuous intravenous or nasogastric feeding at home for months. This ambulatory system, maintained by parents, offers a safe and effective solution for long-term pediatric nutrition.

    Area of Science:

    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology
    • Medical Device Development

    Background:

    • Prolonged intravenous or nasogastric infusions in children often require hospitalization.
    • Maintaining continuous nutrition for ambulant pediatric patients presents significant challenges.
    • Existing systems may be cumbersome, expensive, or require specialized maintenance.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To develop and evaluate a portable infusion system for long-term ambulatory pediatric use.
    • To assess the feasibility of home-based maintenance by parents.
    • To explore applications in both intravenous and nasogastric feeding scenarios.

    Main Methods:

    • A miniature peristaltic rotary pump system was designed for ambulatory use.
    • The system utilized an indwelling silicone rubber catheter and IV solution pack.
    • Dual bacterial filters were employed during intravenous infusions to enhance safety.
    • Parental home maintenance and sterilization procedures were documented.

    Main Results:

    • Three children received infusions for several months over two years, remaining ambulant.
    • The system was successfully maintained by parents at home.
    • Nasogastric infusion proved simpler to manage and tubes were well-tolerated.
    • The pump unit demonstrated low cost, minimal maintenance, and ease of sterilization.

    Conclusions:

    • The portable infusion system enables prolonged, safe, and ambulatory nutrition in children.
    • Parental home management is feasible, reducing the need for continuous clinical supervision.
    • The system offers a versatile and cost-effective solution for various pediatric feeding needs, including specialized applications.

    More Related Videos

    A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings06:59

    A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings

    Published on: November 9, 2016

    Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

    Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

    Published on: October 31, 2025

    Related Concept Videos

    One-Compartment Model: IV Infusion01:09

    One-Compartment Model: IV Infusion

    Intravenous (IV) infusion is often utilized when continuous and controlled drug delivery is necessary, such as during surgery or in the treatment of chronic diseases. This method offers numerous advantages, including immediate drug action, precise control over dosage, and bypassing the first-pass metabolism.
    The one-compartment model for IV infusion uses mathematical equations to describe the rate of change in drug quantity in the body. At steady-state or infusion equilibrium, the drug input...
    Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions01:24

    Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions

    Intermittent intravenous (IV) infusion is a method of drug administration where medications are delivered over short infusion periods followed by intervals of no drug delivery. This approach helps to prevent sustained high drug concentrations in the bloodstream, reducing the risk of adverse effects associated with prolonged exposure. Unlike continuous infusion, steady-state concentrations may not be achieved during a single dosing cycle but can be reached through repeated...
    IV Infusion to Oral Dosing: Conversion Methods01:28

    IV Infusion to Oral Dosing: Conversion Methods

    The development of extended-release formulations has facilitated the transition from intravenous to oral medication, offering a more convenient and patient-friendly approach to drug administration. This transition, however, requires careful management to ensure that therapeutic drug levels are maintained, preserving efficacy and avoiding adverse effects. Understanding pharmacokinetic principles and dosage calculations is critical during this process.Pharmacokinetics of the...
    Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

    Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

    Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
    Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

    Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

    In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
    Parenteral Drug Delivery Systems: Injectables, Implants, and Infusion Devices01:28

    Parenteral Drug Delivery Systems: Injectables, Implants, and Infusion Devices

    Parenteral drug delivery systems play a crucial role in modern therapeutics by enabling the direct administration of drugs into the systemic circulation, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. These systems are particularly valuable for poorly absorbed oral medications that are unstable in the digestive environment or require rapid onset or sustained therapeutic levels. Delivery is achieved through intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous routes, each selected based on the drug's properties...