Views: 0 Author: Kevin Publish Time: 2026-01-28 Origin: Jinan Chensheng Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
Intravenous (IV) therapy is the most common invasive procedure in modern medicine. Whether delivering life-saving antibiotics, chemotherapy, or simple hydration, the accuracy of the delivery system is paramount.
While standard PVC is common for gravity lines, Medical Silicone Tubing is the gold standard for the "pump segment" of IV administration sets. Why? Because when a machine is pushing the fluid, precision and material integrity are non-negotiable.
For nurses monitoring flow rates and procurement officers evaluating safety, this guide explains how to select silicone tubing that ensures the medication reaches the patient exactly as prescribed.
In modern IV therapy, electronic infusion pumps are used to control dosage. The tubing inside these pumps is compressed and released thousands of times.
The Risk of Spallation:Low-quality tubing can degrade under this mechanical stress. This leads to "spallation"—where microscopic particles of the tube wall break off and enter the patient's bloodstream.
The Solution: High-quality Medical Silicone Tubing offers superior elastic recovery. It bounces back to shape instantly without shedding particles, reducing the risk of embolism or phlebitis.
When choosing tubing for IV sets, consider these three clinical impacts:
Some drugs (like Nitroglycerin, Insulin, and Paclitaxel) are notorious for sticking to plastic tubing surfaces. This means the patient receives less than the prescribed dose.
Why Silicone? While no material is perfect, high-purity Platinum Cured Silicone generally exhibits lower interaction with sensitive drugs compared to standard PVC, and it contains no DEHP plasticizers that could leach into the medication.
The pump calculates volume based on the tube's internal diameter (ID).
The Requirement: If the tubing wall varies even slightly in thickness, the delivered volume will be incorrect.
The Spec: Look for precision-extruded silicone tubing with tight tolerances (e.g., ±0.05mm). This ensures that when the pump says "100ml/hr," the patient actually gets 100ml/hr.
Air embolisms are a critical safety concern. Nurses must be able to visually scan the line for bubbles.
The Spec: Avoid "milky" or opaque silicone. Specify high-clarity platinum cured silicone. This allows optical air-in-line sensors on infusion pumps to work correctly and lets clinical staff visually inspect the fluid path.
IV lines often get tangled in bedsheets or compressed when a patient moves.
Kink Resistance: Silicone is naturally soft and flexible. Unlike plastic, which can crease and permanently block flow (occlusion), silicone tends to spring back open, maintaining the fluid pathway.
Pressure Handling: While IV therapy is generally low pressure, blockages can cause pressure spikes. Ensure the tubing wall thickness is rated to handle the pump's maximum occlusion pressure alarm limit without bursting.
To maximize safety and performance in a clinical setting:
Priming the Line: Always prime silicone tubing slowly to remove all air bubbles. Silicone's surface tension is different from PVC, so tapping the line may be necessary to dislodge micro-bubbles.
Scheduled Replacement: Even the best silicone fatigues. Follow the pump manufacturer's guidelines for changing the administration set (usually every 72-96 hours) to maintain flow accuracy.
Compatibility Check: Before infusing complex chemotherapy drugs, verify the chemical compatibility of the drug carrier solvent with silicone.
In IV therapy, the tubing is not just a connector; it is a measuring device. The elasticity and dimensions of the silicone segment determine the accuracy of the medication delivery.
By choosing High-Precision, Platinum Cured Medical Silicone Tubing, you protect patients from particulate contamination and ensure dosage accuracy.
At JNGXJ, we manufacture medical tubing with the strict tolerances required for infusion pump applications. Explore our Medical Silicone Tubing to upgrade your IV delivery systems.
Q: Why is silicone used in the pump section of IV sets instead of PVC?
A: PVC is stiff and requires plasticizers to be flexible. Under the constant compression of a pump, PVC can crack or lose shape (flatten), leading to inaccurate flow rates. Silicone is naturally elastic and maintains accuracy much longer.
Q: Does silicone tubing contain DEHP?
A: No. Medical grade silicone is chemically inert and does not contain phthalates like DEHP or BPA, making it safer for high-risk patients like neonates or those receiving chemotherapy.
Q: Can I see air bubbles through silicone tubing?
A: Yes, provided you choose Platinum Cured Silicone. It is translucent to semi-transparent, allowing for visual inspection of the fluid line and proper function of optical air sensors.
Q: What is "Spallation"?
A: Spallation is the shedding of particles from the inner wall of the tubing due to the friction of the pump rollers. High-quality silicone is designed to minimize this, preventing particles from entering the patient's vein.
