An infusion pump is a device used to regulate the
mixing and administration of intravenous (IV)
medications over long periods of time. They are
used at medical facilities worldwide and are critical
to controlling the dose and timing of medications,
fluids, and nutrients for patients. Infusion pumps can
be programmed for dose rates and timing and can
mix multiple solutions at the required
concentrations. They also monitor the progress of
the infusion, and have alarms to indicate when the IV
fluids have run out, if the IV stops flowing, and other
critical condisions.

Occlusion Alarm

One of the many important features of an infusion
pump is the “Downstream Occlusion Alarm”. When
an IV becomes obstructed, the pressure within the IV
syringe and connected tubing will increase. When
the pressure reaches its setting threshold, a
downstream occlusion alarm will be activated to
alert the attendant that attention is needed.

To keep the settings of downstream occlusion
alarms within required specifications, the APG’s PG5
and PG7 digital pressure gauges are used by medical
personnel worldwide to verify and test the settings
of downstream occlusion alarms.

The process involves adding positive line pressure to
the pump, which is displayed by the PG5 or PG7,
until the downstream occlusion alarm activates.

Medical personnel, by observing the pressure
readings from the PG5 or PG7 with its peakhold
(standard) and 0.1% accuracy (optional) features, can
verify and reset alarm parameters according to
required specifications.