Intravenous access devices are used by doctors to deliver medicine to the patient’s bloodstream through the intravenous route. These devices can also be used to withdraw blood for testing or diagnosis. Moreover, intravenous access devices are widely used for blood transfusion, fluid replacement, delivering medications, and to correct electrolyte imbalances. An implanted port is a device that allows repeated and long-term access to the patient’s bloodstream. It can be used for IV nutrition, antibiotics, and other IV fluids.
Intravenous access devices are placed under the skin in a skin pocket, on the chest wall, or on/under the upper arm, depending on the patient's preference. The catheter is inserted into the central vein, and the port allowing access to the catheter is located just under the skin. These devices are inserted into veins via central or peripheral vessels for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons, such as central venous pressure readings, blood sampling, administration of fluids, medication, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and blood transfusions.
Intravenous (IV) cannulation is a technique in which a cannula is placed inside a vein to provide venous access, which allows administration of medications, fluids, chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, and blood products, as well as a sampling of blood. Intravenous access devices are also used to administer treatments for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer, diabetes, with acute infectious diseases. Thus, with the increasing incidence of the aforementioned disease, the demand for intravenous access devices is also increasing.
According to the Robert Koch Institute, a German federal government agency, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Germany, causing a total of approximately 40% of all deaths. Intravenous access devices, such as IV catheters, IV needles, IV infusion pumps, and catheters, are inserted into veins for people who need frequent access to the bloodstream. These devices are usually placed in one of the larger veins in the chest or neck, so they may remain in place for weeks, months, or longer.