What Is Disposable IV Set

Intravenous Infusion is the fastest way to deliver medication and to replace fluids throughout the body. IV sets are made to optimize the delivery of infusion, reduce the risk of infection for the patient, and to keep access sites protected and uncontaminated.

USES OF IV SETS

IV sets are used for the infusion of medicines over a long period in a controlled way.

IV sets are used to connect the medication to the needle inserted into the patient.

IV extension sets are also used to reduce the risk of contamination while extending the lines.

SOME TYPES OF IV SETS

Filtered IV Set: Filtered IV sets comes with a micron filter inside them, which protects the pack from contamination.

Vented IV Set: They come with an air vent that can be opened or closed to allow for air to enter and displace the fluid.  They are best suited for hard plastic and glass containers because the fluid will not flow from the rigid containers unless the air is vented.

Non-vented IV Set: They don’t have any vents in the tubing. They are best suited for flexible plastic pouches or containers. These sets allow for a vacuum to be created in the plastic IV bag, which helps in collapsing the bag as it gets emptied.

Please click here to learn more types of IV sets.

PARTS OF IV SET:

1. Plastic spike with protector cap
2. Air vent
3. Solution filter
4. Drip chamber
5. Flow regulator
6. Injection site
7. Luer lock connector
8. Cap
9. Needle
10. Tube

PLASTIC SPIKE

Material: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

It’s a hollow device and has a dual channel with a sharp tapering cannula located at the proximal end of the IV set, ensuring a safe seal between the IV line and the fluid container (bottle or bag).

Function: The spike should be able to pierce the bottle stopper of the infusion bag or bottle, and it should not produce debris. When the spike is inserted into the infusion bag or bottle, the air entering the infusion bag or bottle should not enter the effluent liquid.

PROTECTOR CAP

Material: PE (Polyethylene)

Function: the protector cap keeps the spike sterile. The cap is firm but comfortable to remove.

AIR VENT

Material: PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

Function: The air vent allows air to enter the container of the IV fluid. Going over the surface of the fluid, the air subsequently exerts downward pressure to hasten the flow. The air vent is precisely located at the inferior portion of the plastic spike. The filter inside the air vent helps prevent microorganisms from entering the infusion bag is an essential function. Air-vent makes all the air entering the container pass through it.

If the container is a soft infusion bag, the spike can be with or without an air vent. If the container is a hard bottle, the spike must be with an air vent as the fluid will flow only after the air into the bottle.

SOLUTION FILTER (15 micron – 18 micron)

Material: PP (Polypropylene)

Function: The filter is used to filter out the particles in the liquid and protect the patient from the infection caused by the particles. The filtration rate of latex particles by the filter should not be less than 90%.

DRIP CHAMBER

Material: Medical grade PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

It is a transparent, supple, and compressible bag with calibrated tube at the upper end providing even drop formation at approximately 20 drops of 1ml. It has a bacterial filter which is designed to retain particles at the lower end.

Function: Observation of continuous flow of droplets through the drop chamber.

The volume of the drip chamber is large enough and flexible without flattening. The external volume is not less than 10 cubic centimeters, the wall thickness is uniform, and the minimum wall thickness is not less than 0.5mm.

FLOW REGULATOR

Material: PE (Polyethylene)

It’s a small wheel between the drip-counting chamber and the IV connector, also called a roller clamp. The roller clamp allows fluid regulation by compressing the lumen without damaging the tube. It also allows the fluid to stop whenever required.

Function: It can adjust the liquid flow from zero to the maximum, and its adjustment stroke is not less than 30mm. The flow regulator can be used continuously in a one-time infusion without damaging the tube. When the flow regulator is stored together with the hose, it does not produce harmful reactions.

The flow regulating clamp or screw has the additional function of allowing fluid to run through the entire length of the IV tubing and removing all the air bubbles, if possible, from the tubing.

Y INJECTION PORT

Material: ABS & Latex free (Isoprene)

Function: The Y injection site allows the injection of emergency drugs into the flow.

INJECTION SITE

Material: Natural rubber/ Latex free (Isoprene)

Function: it allows the injection of emergency drugs into the flow.  

The injection site is closed with a tight non-removable rubber membrane.

LUER LOCK CONNECTOR

 Material: ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)   

The Luer taper is a standardized system for making leak-free connections between a male-taper fitting and its female mating part in the laboratory, industrial and medical world.

Luer lock connectors are more securely held because the fitting hub has tabs or threads that screw into the sleeve threads.

Function: It helps in connecting the needle strongly.

CAP

Material: PE (Polyethylene)

One of the safety practice recommendations includes covering the IV tubing’s exposed end with a sterile cap between uses in intermittent infusions.

Function: It prevents microbes and foreign particulate matter from entering the infusion tubings.

TUBE

Material: Medical grade PVC (Polyvinylchloride) or DEHP FREE

Length: 150 cm

Function: The tube is transparent so that when the air bubbles pass through the infusion, the interface between water and air can be quickly and clearly distinguished with normal vision. Aside from serving as the principal route of the fluid being infused, it serves as the attachment point of all the other IV parts.

The tubes have a smooth surface on the inside to reduce turbulence and avoid air bubble formation.

Needle

Material: The hub is made of polypropylene, the cannula is made of stainless steel, and the cap is made of PP or PE.

Function: the hypodermic needle is used to pierce the vein of the patient. It connects the patient to the whole infusion set.