Spotlight on IV components
Component fabrication
IV components are manufactured to customer specifications by a company that offers injection moulding, extrusion, assembly, and sterilization services. Products include infusion sets, flow controllers, connectors, and related accessories. Certified to EN/ISO 9001, the company exercises quality control procedures at every step of the production process. Plasti Medical S.p.A., Villamarzana (RO), Italy.
Transfer device
Made of polycarbonate, a plug is intended for use with PVC, EVA, or multilayer bags. The Minitulipe is used as an administration port or perfusion site in the sterile transfer of stored solutions. The device is designed with ease of handling and safety in mind. The USP Class VI materials comply with the European Pharmacopoeia. Sippex, Courzieu, France.
IV administration components
A broad array of IV components are supplied including adapters, valves, drip chambers, Y connectors, T fittings, injection sites, burette parts, clamps, caps, piercing devices, and filters. Complete custom sets in standard bore, small bore, or microbore tubing can also be designed and manufactured to client specifications. Catalogues are available on request. B. Braun Medical, Bethlehem, PA, USA.
Filters
Hydrophobic and oleophobic filters are available for venting applications in medical devices. For example, FiltaVent OGF 20 designed for snap-fit IV vents combines hydrophobic and oleophobic properties, making it suitable for either water or fat- and lipid-based solutions. In addition, the filter features high bacteriological efficiency and a low pressure drop. Whatman International Ltd., Maidstone, Kent, UK.
Quick-disconnect fittings
Nylon quick-disconnect fittings feature a rotating interlock system, fluid shutoff valve, and spring-loaded locking connection. The fluid transfer systems have no parting lines on any of the critical sealing surfaces. Sizes range from 1/16 to ¼ in. The products are available for same-day shipping. Value Plastics Inc., Fort Collins, CO, USA.
Needleless valves
Swabbable needleless valves can be substituted for needle ports in IV applications. Designed with economy of manufacture in mind, the product line includes slip luer valves, Y ports, T ports, ¼-in. tubing valves, and ANSI/ISO standard male-female connector valves. Halkey-Roberts Corp., St. Petersburg, FL, USA.
Injection sites
Available in polyisoprene or silicone, latex-free injection sites will not cause allergic reactions. The product range includes Y and T connectors, dual-port T connectors, straight connectors with male luer locks, and straight connectors fitted with tube connections on both ends. The company also offers various IV components such as spikes, chambers, clamps, check valves, and stopcocks as well as tubing. Qosina, Edgewood, NY, USA.
Filtration devices
Filters and venting and flow control devices are designed, developed, and manufactured for blood therapy, IV, and enteral feeding equipment. The product range includes catheter vents, spike vents, transducer protectors, vented IV bacterial filters, blood filters, transfer valves, needleless connectors, and check valves. The latter incorporate a proprietary design that ensures zero backflow and low opening pressures. Filtertek S.A., Plailly, France.
Rubber components
Rubber components for medical and pharmaceutical applications are produced at a facility certified to ISO 9001. Products include S closures and stoppers for parenteral devices, functional parts for prefilled syringe systems, syringe pistons, blood collection tube stoppers, needle shields, and connector tubes and injection points for IV sets. Disposables can be manufactured from natural and synthetic rubber compounds as well as latex-free compounds. The rubber compounds used for devices achieve a balance between chemical extracts and physical properties. Seal Line S.p.A., Montegaldella (VI), Italy.
