Views: 0 Author: Kevin Publish Time: 2026-02-09 Origin: Jinan Chensheng Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
In modern healthcare, the infusion pump is the heartbeat of medication delivery. Whether administering insulin, chemotherapy, or pain management, the pump relies entirely on one component to deliver the correct dosage: the tubing.
Unlike gravity-fed IV sets, infusion pump tubing is subjected to rigorous mechanical compression. The rollers of the pump squeeze the tube thousands of times per hour. If the Medical Silicone Tubing is not engineered specifically for this stress, it can lead to dangerous fluctuations in flow rates or particulate contamination.
For pharmacists and procurement officers, understanding the physics of the tubing is essential for patient safety. This guide outlines the critical specifications for high-performance infusion pump tubing.
An infusion pump calculates volume based on the assumption that the tubing's internal diameter is constant and perfectly round.
The Problem (Fatigue): Over time, standard tubing flattens out under the pump's rollers (a phenomenon called permanent set). When the tube doesn't bounce back to its full round shape, it holds less fluid.
The Consequence: The pump rotates as expected, but delivers less medication than the screen displays. This under-dosing can be critical in ICU settings.
The Solution: High-Rebound Medical Silicone Tubing. Silicone offers superior elastic memory compared to PVC, ensuring consistent volumetric delivery over long infusion cycles.
When sourcing tubing for volumetric or peristaltic infusion pumps, prioritize these three engineering traits:
In a pump, a variation of just 0.1mm in the tube's wall thickness can significantly alter the flow rate.
The Requirement: You need Precision Extruded Silicone.
The Spec: Look for manufacturers who guarantee tight tolerances (e.g., ±0.05mm ID/OD). This ensures that every inch of the tube delivers the exact volume the pump software expects.
"Spallation" occurs when the pump rollers grind the tube, causing microscopic particles to break off from the inner wall and enter the patient's vein.
The Risk: These particles can cause phlebitis or granulomas.
The Fix: Specify Platinum Cured Silicone Tubing. Unlike peroxide-cured options, platinum-cured silicone has a stronger molecular structure that resists tearing and abrasion, significantly reducing spallation events.
The tubing must be soft enough for the pump to compress fully (to stop flow) but hard enough not to trigger false "occlusion" alarms.
Recommendation: A hardness of 50 to 60 Shore A is the industry standard for infusion pumps.
Too Soft: The tube may collapse under suction, triggering upstream occlusion alarms.
Too Hard: The pump motor drains the battery faster, and the tubing wears out the pump mechanism.
Pharmacists know that some drugs interact with plastics.
Adsorption: Drugs like Nitroglycerin and Diazepam can stick to the walls of PVC tubing, reducing the dose delivered to the patient.
The Advantage: Medical Grade Silicone Tubing is chemically inert. It exhibits significantly lower drug adsorption/absorption rates compared to standard plastics, ensuring that the prescribed dose is the delivered dose.
To ensure optimal performance in a clinical setting:
Proper Loading: Nurses should be trained not to "stretch" the silicone tubing when loading it into the pump. Stretching thins the wall, which alters the flow rate immediately.
Rotation: For long-term infusions (24h+), some protocols suggest moving the tubing slightly every few hours to expose a fresh section of the tube to the rollers, preventing localized fatigue.
Priming: Silicone is hydrophobic. Ensure the line is fully primed and tapped to remove micro-bubbles that might trigger air-in-line sensors.
The infusion pump is only as accurate as the tubing inside it. By choosing High-Precision, Platinum Cured Medical Silicone Tubing, hospitals can reduce the risk of medication errors, minimize pump alarms, and ensure the highest standard of patient care.
At JNGXJ, we manufacture medical tubing with the exacting tolerances required for sensitive infusion devices. Explore our Medical Silicone Tubing to find the perfect match for your pump systems.
Q: Why does flow rate accuracy drop over time with some tubing?
A: This is due to "tubing fatigue." The constant compression by the pump rollers causes the tube to lose its round shape (flatten). High-quality silicone has better "elastic memory" and maintains accuracy longer than PVC.
Q: What is the best hardness for infusion pump tubing?
A: Typically, 50 to 60 Shore A is ideal. This balance allows the pump to fully occlude the tube to stop flow without requiring excessive motor force, and prevents the tube from collapsing under suction.
Q: Does silicone tubing interact with chemotherapy drugs?
A: Medical grade silicone is chemically inert and generally has excellent compatibility with chemotherapy agents. It does not contain plasticizers (like DEHP) that can leach out when exposed to harsh chemicals.
Q: How do I prevent "Spallation" (particles) in the bloodstream?
A: Using Platinum Cured Silicone is the best prevention. It is stronger and cleaner than peroxide-cured silicone or standard rubber, resisting the abrasive action of the pump rollers to minimize particle shedding.
