IV pumps are an essential piece of infusion equipment in use in hospitals and clinics around the globe. Also known as infusion pumps, IV pumps are responsible for delivering fluids, such as medications or nutrient solutions, into the patient’s body at a controlled rate.

There are multiple types of IV pumps such as gravity infusion pumps and syringe infusion pumps. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the main types of IV pumps and some of the top brands that sell them.

What Are the Different Types of IV Pumps?

Let’s begin with a look at some of the various types of IV pumps, including gravity, syringe, volumetric, and insulin pumps.

1. Gravity Infusion Pumps 

A gravity infusion pump, as the name suggests, is one that relies upon the power of gravity to deliver fluids into the IV line and ultimately into the body of the patient. This is one of the most commonly-used IV devices, and it’s actually the force of gravity that does most of the work, rather than the pump itself. 

Gravity allows for the fluid to flow down the tube and into the patient’s body, and the pump helps to control the rate and release of the fluid itself. When you’re working with gravity infusion sets, it’s important for the infusion container to be situated above the patient in order for gravity to have its effect.

2. Syringe Infusion Pumps 

A syringe infusion pump is one that actually has a syringe either built in or directly connected to the pump system. The syringe is usually situated above the pump and can be connected to an IV line, and this is one of the best IV pumps to use for small volume infusion, where all of the necessary fluid can be contained within the syringe itself.

The pump allows for precise control of how much fluid is pushed out of the syringe and into the patient’s body over time. It delivers exceptional accuracy in terms of volume and delivery rate, and a typical syringe infusion pump should be compatible with syringes of various sizes, ranging from as small as 1ml up to 60ml.

3. Elastomeric Infusion Pumps 

Elastomeric infusion pumps are a particular type of infusion pump that is designed for just one use. These single-use IV pumps work without the need for any external power source and allow for medications and fluids to be delivered safely and conveniently in various locations, like patient homes and nursing homes.

These IV pumps work with elastomeric balloons. The balloons are filled up with fluid, which creates positive pressure that helps to push the fluid slowly out along the IV line. A flow restrictor helps to manage the rate of delivery, so there’s no need for any complicated programming or configuration.

4. Volumetric Infusion Pumps 

Volumetric infusion pumps, also known in medical communities as VIPs, are infusion pumps that are very versatile. They’re capable of providing consistent, continuous delivery of fluids into a patient’s body in very specific amounts, and they can operate at variable rates, from very slow delivery to very fast delivery for the most urgent situations. 

It’s common to use volumetric infusion pumps in order to deliver and control the flow of blood, drugs, and fluids into a patient’s body. They can also usually be controlled by the patient, to some degree, and are famed for their high levels of accuracy, as well as built-in alarms to detect for things like air bubbles.

5. Patient-Controlled Analgesia Pumps 

As the name implies, the main distinguishing feature of a patient-controlled analgesia pump is the fact that the controls for the pump are in the hands of the patient. The patient will be able to press a button in their hand that allows more analgesia, or pain medication, to be delivered into their bloodstream.

These kinds of IV pumps are vital in many hospitals and other healthcare settings for patients who are recovering from operations or suffering serious chronic pain conditions. They give the patient comfort and convenience, letting them relieve themselves of pain without the need for calling a nurse repeatedly.

6. Enteral Infusion Pumps 

Enteral infusion pumps are pumps that are used for enteral nutrition. This is a medical form of feeding in which a tube is inserted into the patient’s mouth and directed down towards the stomach. It allows for the delivery of food solutions and nutrients into the body and is vital for patients who aren’t able to ingest food normally.

A lot of patients with serious illnesses can’t feed themselves or may not be able to chew and swallow food. This can make them weak and slow their recovery rate from illnesses or surgery. Enteral infusion pumps and enteral nutrition processes are therefore very important for helping these patients survive and get better.

7. Insulin Pumps 

Insulin pumps are pumps that are used specifically to deliver insulin into the patient’s bloodstream. Insulin is the anabolic hormone which helps to control sugar levels in the blood, but patients with diabetes are typically not able to produce high levels of their own insulin, so rely on insulin injections and insulin pumps.

An insulin pump is usually quite a small device and may even be wearable under the patient’s clothes or in a pocket. These devices are computerized in order to deliver set amounts of insulin into the patient’s body on a programmed, precise schedule. These pumps are crucial for those with diabetes, especially for younger and more active individuals.

8. Ambulatory Infusion Pumps

An ambulatory infusion pump is one that can deliver medications or fluids into the patient’s body while also being small and portable enough to be carried out from place to place and used throughout the day; this is where the “ambulatory” part of the name comes from when speaking about ambulatory infusion pumps.

These pumps are usually designed to work with syringes or small IV bags. They’re designed with portability in mind and can be worn on the patient’s body or carried around in a bag or pocket. They may be used to deliver various fluids, including IV and epidural infusions, as well as arterial infusions.

What Are the Top IV Pump Brands?

Now that we’ve seen some of the main types of IV pumps, let’s now look at a few of the major IV pump brands and manufacturers, like B Braun and Smiths Medical.

1. Baxter International 

Baxter International is an American healthcare company based in Illinois. This company offers a wide range of infusion pumps, including smart IV pumps and its own Spectrum IQ infusion system.

2. B Braun 

B Braun is the name of a German healthcare and medical company that is based in Melsungen, Germany. In terms of infusion pumps, B Braun has some of the best large volume infusion pumps, along with insulin pumps and more.

3. Hospira 

Hospira is an American company that specializes in pharmaceutical products and medical devices. Based in Illinois in the US, Hospira has produced various infusion pumps, focusing mainly on general-purpose pumps.

4. Smiths Medical 

Smiths Medical is another of the American companies that produces medical devices like infusion pumps. This company makes some of the best syringe infusion pumps, long with ambulatory infusion pumps and many other IV products.

5. BD 

BD is a medical device company based in the US that also makes infusion pumps. This company produces large volumetric IV pumps and is known for its Alaris series of infusion pump devices.

6. Alaris Medical 

Alaris Medical is actually part of the BD family, and the Alaris brand name is used for many of BD’s top infusion systems, including volumetric IV pumps, ambulatory IV pumps, and other forms of infusion systems.

7. First Biomedical 

First Biomedical is a company that both sells and services infusion pumps and medical devices. It’s based in Kansas and offers a wide, varied range of infusion pumps in various forms and sizes.

8. Cardinal Health 

Cardinal Health is one of the leading names in the IV supplies market. Based in Ohio, this company sells various large infusion pumps and infusion control units for use in hospitals.

9. Soma Technology

Finally, we have Soma Technology, a medical equipment company based in Bloomfield, CT. This company offers insulin pumps, volumetric pumps, analgesia pumps, and more from various brands.

Where Can I Buy IV Pumps From These Brands?

If you’re looking to buy IV pumps from brands like B Braun, Baxter International, BD, and First Biomedical, choose CIA Medical. CIA Medical is one of the world’s leading suppliers of wholesale medical products, with a huge range of essential medical supplies and pieces of equipment at only the most affordable prices.