External Infusion Pumps

An external infusion pump (EIP) is a portable device intended to provide continuous ambulatory drug infusion therapy over an extended time period. The EIP is also known as an external pump, ambulatory pump, or a mini-infuser. The EIP is usually the size of a portable cassette player and can be worn on a belt around the patient’s waist or from a shoulder harness. It is a battery driven device. Proposed drug delivery routes using the EIP include the intravenous, intra-arterial, sub-cutaneous, intraperitoneal, epidural, intrathecal, and intraventricular routes. A heparinized saline solution may be used during an interruption of drug therapy to maintain catheter patency. The EIP is battery powered, and drug reservoir refilling is non-invasive. A catheter from the pump is attached to the desired access route for drug delivery. <a id="