We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Syringe Pump?

By T. Broderick
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,501
Share

A syringe pump is a medical device that regulates the rate of drug administration through a syringe. Resembling an insulin pump, a syringe pump is much more precise as it delivers medication slowly over a long period of time. Doctors and patients can program a pump through the use of a small computer interface on the device. The pump has a variety of uses from palliative care to saving the lives of newborns. Research labs around the world use larger and more complex syringe pumps to determine the most effective amounts of intravenous medication.

A syringe pump is a combination of mechanical and electronic components that manipulate a standard syringe. As it must accommodate the syringe's length, the smallest syringe pumps are the size of a standard television remote. A small computer controls a continually running motor, the latter applying a continuous force upon the plunger end of the syringe. This continuous administration of a drug differentiates the syringe pump from similar devices such as an insulin pump, the latter only administering insulin when a patient presses certain buttons on the device. After flowing through a short length of plastic tubing, the drug enters the body intravenously.

Like an insulin pump, a syringe pump features a simple computer interface where a doctor or patient can change the rate at which the device administers the drug. This is an especially effective feature for patients using the device to deliver pain management medication. For example, a patient suffering from the terminal stages of cancer can adjust the amount of pain medication he or she receives on a daily or hourly basis. Having the ability to fine tune one's medication dosage increases a patient's quality of life.

A syringe pump has a host of advantages over other forms of intravenous drug administration. Infants, especially those born premature, may need a variety of medications to survive. Yet their small size requires smaller amounts of medication. A properly programmed syringe pump can accurately administer medication, lowering the chances of an accidental overdose.

Syringe pumps are also a key piece of equipment during medical research. Unlike the portable pumps used by doctors and patients, a pump used for research is larger to accommodate more complex electronic and mechanical parts. Though these features come at a significantly higher cost, they allow researchers to administer medication much more precisely than normal pumps. Higher precision leads to better research data, benefiting future patients.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-syringe-pump.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.