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 rather large volume of liquid is introduced into the body of an individual. One end is connected to a vial or bag containing medicine or blood, and the other end is connected to the patient's vein. There are the following types of systems:
- blood transfusion drip (or PC for short);
- for transfusion of solutions - PR.
Drop Catheters
These medical devices are used to inject drugs into the bloodstream for an extended 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, trauma to the vein is excluded. Installation is carried out in stationary conditions. There are several types of IV catheters:
- The butterfly system. This medical product is a needle, at the base of which there are plastic wings. Their purpose is to attach the catheter to the skin.sick.
- For peripheral veins. This type is intended for long-term use. Made from thin plastic. The needle is only used to puncture the vein and insert the catheter. Of the advantages, it is worth noting that the patient does not experience any inconvenience in the future, since the product itself is made of a flexible plastic material. The catheter is changed after three days.
- For central veins. This system for insertion into the subclavian vein consists of a guidewire, a catheter and a set of needles. Designed for the introduction of drugs into the bloodstream for a long period and is used in cardiac surgery, oncology, resuscitation. The establishment of such a catheter is considered a minor surgical intervention and is performed by an intensive care doctor in a medical organization. This manipulation is accompanied by a large number of complications, therefore, peripheral veins are often used for drug administration. The system is introduced into the peripheral and then pulled into the central vein. In this case, the likelihood of complications is reduced.
The advantage of such a system is the ease of use and setting. The disadvantages include the fact that the needle is constantly in the vein, exposing it to injury during careless movement. The product is used quite often in cases of single administration of drugs, which takes no more than two hours.
Regardless of the type of catheter, its size matters. Mark products according to the color scheme depending on this parameter:
- Orange. This colorrefer to thick catheters intended for viscous solutions and blood components.
- Purple. This tone is used for the thinnest products that are used for infusion of solutions.
How to put the system (dropper)?
For its proper setting, you need to do a little preparatory work, which will be as follows:
- Install an IV stand next to the patient, which is a stand on which a bag with an infusion solution will be fixed.
- Wash hands and wrists thoroughly with soap and water, paying attention to interdigital areas. Next, they must be blotted dry, and not wiped. Or you can use any antiseptic designed for hand treatment.
- Check the name of the drug prepared for administration with the appointment of the attending doctor.
- Prepare the system, needle, tourniquet, patch for fixation, cotton or gauze swab, chlorhexidine alcohol solution for sterilization.
- In the package with the drug, find the connection point to which the system will connect and wipe it with a swab dipped in an alcohol solution.
- Attach the dropper and bag, hang on the rack.
- Display all bubbles.
- Put on gloves.
- Approach the patient.
Now proceeds directly to the setting of the dropper:
- Tie a tourniquet over the puncture site.
- Disinfect the injection site.
- Install a catheter, which is a small tube andis inserted along with the needle, and after its removal remains in the vein. Position it at an angle of 30 degrees to the patient's arm. Next, remove the needle, remove the tourniquet. Wipe the place where the catheter is fixed with an alcohol solution.
- Connect the dropper tube to the catheter, fixing it with a band-aid.
- Adjust the rate of drug administration using the special clip wheel installed on the system.
Consequences of getting air into a vein
A blockage of a vein can be caused by an air bubble entering it when drugs are administered intravenously with a syringe or dropper. The air bubble disrupts blood microcirculation, blocking the lumen of the vessel, i.e., an embolism develops.
This is especially dangerous when blocking large arteries and, accordingly, the penetration of a large volume of air. Immediately before the drip is inserted, the air in the system is released, so the likelihood of air entering the vein is negligible. To avoid complications and not be afraid of intravenous drip infusions, these manipulations should be entrusted to experienced medical professionals.
What's in a drip?
This medical device was invented in the thirties of the last century. However, since then it has not changed much, it has only been slightly improved. The medical system (dropper) consists of:
- flow rate controller;
- drip former with filter;
- needle;
- plastic tubing systems.
Working principle
Liquid from a bottle or bag enters the tube under the influence of gravity, passes through the dropper, 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 dropper system, one of which is needed to connect with the drug container, and the other to puncture the vein. The drug enters the tank through the filter and is then dosed with a pipette.
The existing regulator allows you to reduce or increase the speed of the drops, depending on how the drug is administered: drip or jet. The tank is initially filled with a small volume of liquid and ensure that there is no air in the tube. To start supplying the solution to the system, a needle is inserted into the lid of the drug container, 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.
Infusion therapy
The introduction of drugs directly into the vein is a modern way of treating emergency conditions. According to the rate of infusion of drugs, two types are distinguished:
- Drip. With this method of administration, the necessary drug is dissolved and then, using a special system, it is introduced into the vessel. Due to the fact that the drug is in a rather diluted form,the harmful effect on the vascular wall is minimal.
- Inkjet. 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 bloodstream. 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, is very important. With all types of infusions, infusion systems for a dropper are used. The medical market has a wide range of these products.
Infusion Sets
Used for infusion of solutions and medicines in liquid form. Composition of the infusion set:
- a special device that pierces the lid and has a built-in air valve;
- dripper with filter;
- cameras;
- flexible long tube with a regulator-clip that regulates the infusion.
The system for a dropper with a filter allows you to retain clots larger than 30 microns. The product is used once. The material that is used in their manufacture is transparent and allows you to see air bubbles, the level of the solution, the speed of the drops.
Types of transfusion systems
By filter mesh size, dripper systemsubdivided into infusion products:
- solutions;
- blood and blood substitutes.
A properly selected system, taking into account the size of the cells, is the key to successful therapy. For example, for the introduction of a solution of glucose or electrolytes, small cells will not allow harmful impurities to enter the bloodstream. And in the case of a transfusion of blood products, such cells will quickly become clogged with blood elements, and the infusion process will stop.
According to the type of needle used, which is connected to the bag or bottle, systems are distinguished:
- with metal needle;
- with polymer needle or plastic spike.
The choice of an infusion system for a dropper in this case will depend on which container the drug is in. For glass containers, they use a metal needle, and for bags, a polymer needle.
System for transfusion (infusion) of blood
This product can be used with both glass bottles and transfusion bags. Includes:
- plastic and metal needle;
- two protective caps;
- dripper with filter;
- long connecting tube made of transparent material;
- air intake valve;
- connector;
- roller regulator.
For the purpose of infusing the donor's blood, plasmas use blood transfusion systems. These products were invented by a British obstetrician in 1818. Since then, they have been improved somewhat. drip systemequipped with a filter with large cells, which allows not to miss blood clots and at the same time ensure the flow of blood at a certain speed. The presence of filters is especially important when transfusing coagulated blood, which has a high viscosity.
Infusion set with metal needle
This dropper is designed for infusion of infusion solutions and blood substitutes from a bottle. The medical device consists of:
- needles;
- drip system with filter;
- flex hose;
- latex tubing for infusion cam control;
- needle-airway;
- clamp to adjust the insertion rate;
- cap piercer with metal needle.
Hose and dripper made of transparent material.
Infusion set with plastic spike
The product is used when infusing infusion solutions from containers or bags.
Unlike the previous system, it consists of a device with a plastic spike for cap puncture, combined with a semi-rigid dropper and filter. The remaining components are the same as in the system with a metal needle.
Conclusion
The drip system is used to administer various drugs. With its help, the introduced substances are absorbed faster and better. There are many medical indications for which there is a need for them. However, it must be borne in mind thatinfusion therapy is contraindicated in heart failure, a tendency to thrombosis and swelling.
The use of droppers is also known for non-medical purposes. From proven systems, you can build wonderful toys, gifts, souvenirs with your own hands. The photo above shows crafts from the systems. At the same time, droppers are painted in different colors and quite funny and unusual decorations for the holiday are obtained.
