Eli5: why does an IV drop into that capsule that’s half full of iv and half air?

Question

Eli5: why does an IV drop into that capsule that’s half full of iv and half air?

In: 1726

Answer 1

It’s a drip chamber. It exists for a few reasons:

It prevents air bubbles from traveling down the IV tubing. With an IV pump in place, this is the drip chamber’s primary use.

It confirms patency of the IV circuit absent the presence of an IV pump. Patency is a term used in medicine to refer to the openness of a structure through which fluids flow. Or rather, whether or not fluids can flow through a structure. A patent structure will permit fluid transmission whereas a non-patent structure will not.

It provides a rough idea of the flow rate of the fluids flowing through the IV when an IV pump is not being used

Source: 15 years in critical care, ICU, OR, Cath Lab