Multi-infusion systems are used frequently at intensive care units to administer several liquid therapeutic agents to
patients simultaneously. By passively combining the separate infusion lines in one central line, the number of punctures
needed to access the patient's body, is reduced. So far, the mutual influence between the different infusion lines is
unknown. Although the flow properties of single infusion systems have been investigated extensively, only a few
research groups have investigated the flow properties of multi-infusion systems. We showed in a previous study that
applying multi-infusion can lead to fluctuations in syringe pump infusions, resulting in uncontrolled and inaccurate drug
administration. This study presents a performance analysis of multi-infusion systems as used in the Neonatology
Intensive Care Unit. The dynamics between multiple infusion lines in multi-infusion systems were investigated by
simulation experiments of clinical conditions. A newly developed real-time spectral-photometric method was used for
the quantitative determination of concentration and outflow volume using a deconvolution method of absorption spectra
of mixed fluids. The effects for common clinical interventions were studied in detail. Results showed mutual influence
between the different infusion lines following these interventions. This mutual influence led to significant volume
fluctuations up to 50%. These deviations could result in clinically dangerous situations. A complete analysis of the multiinfusion
system characteristics is recommended in further research to estimate both the presence and severity of potential
risks in clinical use.
Multi-infusion setups for medication administration in Intensive Care Units seem uncontrolled due to flow and pressure differences between syringe pumps. To investigate the dynamics and interaction of multi-infusion, a dedicated set-up was developed to measure the concentrations of fluids dynamically in multiple lines using absorption spectral-photometry. For feasibility testing and calibration, various dyes and concentrations were investigated to find the optimal settings. The developed method was validated and showed satisfactory results for determining mixtures of up to three different dyes in different ratios, with average recoveries of 105.0% (±11.01) for two dyes and 99.6% (±6.26) for three dyes. The method was applied in initial simulation experiments for measuring effects of manipulations in a multi-infusion set-up simulating a clinical situation. Results showed evidence for mutual influencing of separate infusion lines. The method developed for measuring the fluid dynamics of multi-infusion will contribute to a better insight and controlled administration of medications.
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