Flow continuity of infusion systems at low flow rates

Area of Science:

• Neonatal intensive care
• Medical device engineering
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Infusion of fluids and drugs at very low rates is critical in neonatal intensive care.
• Hemodynamic fluctuations during inotrope infusion are linked to syringe driver plunger sticking.
• Regulatory bodies recommend specific pumps for these critical infusions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of various infusion systems for low-rate drug delivery in neonatal care.
• To identify infusion devices suitable for continuous and safe administration of inotropes.
• To assess the reliability of syringe drivers and infusion pumps at low flow rates.

Main Methods:

• Testing of multiple syringe driver and infusion pump systems.
• Assessment of flow rate continuity at very low infusion rates.
• Evaluation of device suitability for inotrope delivery based on flow characteristics.

Main Results:

• Certain syringes demonstrated continuous flow at low rates, making them suitable for inotropes.
• Some tested infusion pumps exhibited non-continuous flow at low rates, posing a risk.
• Device performance varied significantly, impacting the safety of neonatal infusions.

Conclusions:

• The choice of infusion device is critical for maintaining stable hemodynamics in neonates.
• Syringes providing continuous flow are preferable for low-rate inotrope infusions.
• Infusion pumps with non-continuous low-rate flow are unsatisfactory for this application.