# Infusion pumps, ports, and ambulatory chemotherapy devices

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/infusion-devices-vascular-access/  
OnCo record `infusion-devices-vascular-access` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Infusion devices are the implanted ports, smart pumps, and take-home pumps that deliver chemotherapy safely, including 46-hour infusions patients carry home.

## Summary

Implanted central venous ports and PICC lines (BD Bard PowerPort, B. Braun Celsite, Smiths Medical), smart infusion pumps with drug libraries (BD Alaris, Baxter Spectrum, ICU Medical Plum), and elastomeric ambulatory pumps (Baxter Infusor, B. Braun Easypump) for regimens such as FOLFOX enable outpatient and home chemotherapy. Device recalls (Alaris, 2020-23), port infections and thrombosis, and pump programming errors are the safety issues; home-infusion services extend care beyond clinics.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: standard-of-care
- Last checked: 2026-09-08
- Tags: supporting
- Principle: Subcutaneous reservoir with catheter tip in the superior vena cava for repeated access; pumps meter drug by peristaltic mechanism or elastomeric pressure at a set rate.
- Strengths: Enables outpatient and home regimens; Reduces vein damage from vesicants
- Limitations: Catheter-related thrombosis and infection; Device recalls and supply; Pump error remains a top medication-safety hazard

## Sources

- FDA: infusion pumps: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/general-hospital-devices-and-supplies/infusion-pumps

## Connected records

- fronts: [Chemotherapy](https://onco.cc/fronts/chemotherapy/), [Devices & Physical Therapies](https://onco.cc/fronts/devices/), [Supportive Care & Survivorship](https://onco.cc/fronts/supportive-care/)
- technologies: [Closed-system transfer devices for hazardous drugs (PhaSeal, ChemoLock, Equashield)](https://onco.cc/technologies/closed-system-transfer-devices/), [Cytotoxic chemotherapy](https://onco.cc/technologies/cytotoxic-chemotherapy/), [Electronic patient-reported outcomes and remote monitoring](https://onco.cc/technologies/remote-patient-monitoring/), [Oncology pharmacy automation and compounding robots](https://onco.cc/technologies/pharmacy-automation/)
- companies: [B. Braun](https://onco.cc/companies/b-braun/), [Baxter International](https://onco.cc/companies/baxter/), [BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)](https://onco.cc/companies/becton-dickinson/), [Fresenius Kabi](https://onco.cc/companies/fresenius-kabi/), [ICU Medical](https://onco.cc/companies/icu-medical/)
- terms: [Central venous access (port, PICC line)](https://onco.cc/terms/central-venous-access/)
- roadmaps: [Chemotherapy roadmap: mustard gas → curative combinations → the warhead inside smarter drugs](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/chemotherapy-roadmap/), [Devices and physical therapies roadmap: heat and light → electric fields and focused sound → drug-releasing implants](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/devices-roadmap/), [Supportive care and survivorship roadmap: making treatment bearable → proving it extends life → caring for tens of millions afterwards](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/survivorship-roadmap/)

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