Inflight intravenous therapy: a new dimension.

This Inflight Infusion System was designed to meet an urgent operational requirement for accurate administration of intravenous (I.V.) fluid therapy to acutely ill patients while in flight. Aircraft cabin pressure changes affect the flow of intravenous fluids. The discharge rate of I.V. fluids may become excessive during ascent to 2438 m (8000 ft) the level at which both commercial and military aircraft are commonly pressurized, or during loss of cabin pressure, such as may take place at higher altitudes. During descent, the flow rate becomes insufficient or stop until ground level pressure is reached. A method for carefully controlling intravenous fluid intake during all phases of flight with an inflight infusion system that utilizes a modified precision roller pump was developed by the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine. This technique assures carefully controlled fluid intake that is not possible by using the conventional gravity method.