Infusion devices portable

Controlled release can be achieved using infusion devices in hospital and chn-ical settings. Advances in miniaturization of these devices is beginning to provide portability. Ftowever, these devices are not ideal for most applications due to their cost and complex training requirements. 

Figure 13.13. Schematic representation of a physically driven based portable infusion device.

Kramer I, Thiesen J. Stability of topotecan infusion solutions in polyvinylchloride bags and elastomeric portable infusion devices. J Oncol Pharm Pract 1999 5 75-82. 

There are various ways to classify today s infusion devices based upon their functionality, driving mechanism, size, or ability to be disconnected periodically from the infusion apparatus. In order to simplify the classification, we have chosen to differentiate only between stationary and portable devices. Stationary devices are used for patients who remain in bed during the treatment, either at home or in a hospital environment. In general, these devices are large, programmable systems that remain near the bedside and require close supervision by medical personnel. Portable infusion pumps, on the other hand, are used by patients who can freely move during then-therapy. They include implantable and externally worn pumps, which range from somewhat bulky forms to small and concealable devices as shown in Fig.l. 

The mechanical pump approach employs miniature mechanical devices, such as implantable and portable infusion pumps and percutaneous infusion catheters, to deliver drugs into appro priate blood vessels or to a discrete site in the body. When compared with the... 

A.I. Abrosimovt Y.G. Klimchenko, S.A. Tyulyandin, Infusion therapy of diseases with the use of portable thermoinfusion devices with dosimetry of drugs (Review of literature), Bull, of Inst-of Scientific Inform. [Russia] 8 8(1988). 

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