| Popis: |
Intrathecal (IT) pumps are sophisticated, implantable, mechanical devices designed to safely deliver pain medications to patients with chronic pain and spasticity over long periods of time. An IT drug delivery system consists of an intrathecal catheter and a “pump”—a device containing a drug reservoir, pumping mechanism, and often a battery for driving drug delivery. Each of these components can fail and lead to serious and potentially lethal complications due to either human error and/or device failure. Device stalls, pump flips, battery failures, and catheter fractures can present as acute underdosing, resulting in medication withdrawal symptoms. Over-infusion of medication due to malfunctioning of the pump delivery system can also occur, resulting in an acute medication overdose. Both under- and over-infusion states are dangerous complications and potentially lethal. |
