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 so that whoever’s monitoring the IV knows it’s flowing. It’s hard to tell in a clear tube if the clear fluid is moving or not. Also a lot of hospitals use pumps now to regulate the flow instead of the old plastic clip style ones. Said pumps will also sound an alarm if the flow is blocked so no need for the drip thingy.