Syringe Pump vs Infusion Pump

Understand the difference between syringe pumps vs. infusion pumps and how to choose the best one for your application.

Syringe Pump vs Infusion Pump
       Syringe Pump                                                    Infusion Pump

Topics Covered:

  • Syringe Pump vs Infusion Pump Overview
  • How Do Syringe and Infusion Pumps Work
  • Where Are Syringe and Infusion Pumps Used
  • Choosing the Best Infusion or Syringe pump

Syringe Pump vs Infusion Pump Overview

Syringe and infusion pumps are pumping instruments that deliver fluids in a continuous and controlled manner to area−specific targets.  In general, syringe pumps are a subset of infusion pumps. Both syringe pumps and infusion pumps offer considerable advantages over manual fluid administration, including dosing exact amounts in small volumes and precise, automated intervals.

In general, both syringes and infusion pumps are useful for minimizing fluid delivery errors in both medical and research applications. The main difference between medical vs. non-medical and IV-style vs. syringe pusher-style is fluid displacement.

What is an Infusion Pump?

Infusion pumps are pieces of medical equipment used to transfuse precise amounts of liquid medication, hormones, nutrients, or blood into a patient. They are programmable, and the flow rate and duration of fluid delivery are controlled through a software interface. Infusion pumps also require FDA approval, especially in the USA.
hospital infusion pump
                     IV Infusion Pump

Medical Infusion systems include:

  • Bolus Functions
  • Occlusion detection (blockage detection)
  • Drug libraries for patient use

What is a Syringe Pump?

A syringe pump is a motor-driven device that can dispense precise and accurate quantities of fluid over a specific period of time in advanced research environments. Typically, syringe pumps handle smaller volumes and offer additional programmable features, such as the ability to connect to a computer for data analysis, that infusion pumps do not possess.

research syringe pump
                          Syringe Pump

Science and industrial syringe pumps systems include:

  • Much higher precision than to medical
  • Higher Force – 50lbs to 6 TONS of pushing force
  • Some designed for Spark and Explosion proof

How do Syringes and Infusion Pumps Work?

Syringe Pump Operation
syringe pump schematic
Syringe Pump Operation

A syringe pump is powered by a motor that can be programmed to gradually drive the plate to push a plunger to administer/eject a specified volume of fluid at a desired flow rate from the syringe to the desired target.

Syringe pumps can operate at very small volumetric flow rates (in micro, nano, and pico metric ranges) while offering pulseless flow with high precision delivery.

Many parameters can be controlled in modern syringe pump applications. For example, pressure control facilitates handling liquids with high viscosity or to introduce fluids under high pressure. Syringe heaters offer temperature control for the syringe. Some syringe pumps allow users to switch between different syringes to regulate the working range.

Infusion Pump Operation

 

labeled infusion pump
Infusion Pump Mechanisms

Medical infusion pumps are electronically or mechanically powered by a motor that can be programmed to continuously allow fluid at a specific volume to be administered at a specified rate through a tube to a needless catheter to a patient.

Where are Syringes and Infusion Pumps Used?

Syringe Pumps can be used in a wide range of applications due to their high accuracy and preciseness. Applications that utilize small quantities of fluid that require a specific flow rate, such as material characterization or development in pharmaceutical, chemical, and material sciences research. The advantages of syringe pumps include minimizing volume errors in instrumental analytics for drug delivery, sample delivery, and other microanalyses, such as microfluidics, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and mass spectrometry (MS). They can also be used in research fields that use precise dosing, reagents, and adding minute traces of chemicals during an ongoing experiment.

syringe pump in use
Syringe Pump in Research

 

microfluidics application syringe pump
Syringe Pump in Microfluidics Application

 

Infusion Pumps are most commonly used in the clinical industry such as, hospitals, medical centers, retirement facilities, and home care to deliver controlled quantities of medical treatments, nutrients, or blood administration to patients. Occasionally, infusion pumps are utilized to assist in feeding or dosing research animals in biological and medical research.

Several types of infusion pumps exist, including: patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), large volume, elastomeric, enteral, and insulin pumps. Stationary infusion pumps are used at patients’ bedside, while portable and wearable pumps are called ambulatory infusion pumps.

hospital iv
Infusion Pump in Medical Setting

How to Choose a Syringe Pump

Depending on your industry and specific application, use this flowchart to determine the best pump for your needs with helpful links to where to find them.

How to choose a syringe pump flow chart

 

 

Alexis Roach

PHD BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Alexis Roach is a versatile and proficient researcher and technical writer in the biotech industry, bringing a combination of scientific communication and creativity to her content. With four years of extensive study in biomedical science and a marketing background, Dr. Roach has acquired the understanding and ability to translate industrial knowledge methodically and clearly. Alexis' expertise is further enhanced by her practical experience as a scientific investigator, where she honed her skills in multiple distinct life science applications. Alexis' interdisciplinary qualifications ensure her writing is comprehensive and scientifically accurate, assisting in bridging the gap and providing relevant insight into the complex elements of the biotech industry."

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