What is LDPE tubing: How doctors use it in chemotherapy?

29 July 21

Polyethylene Tubes – HDPE LDPE

LDPE tubing is widely popular, in particular, in the transport of drinking fluids. Polyethylene tubes have good resistance, which makes it possible to use it in various applications. Polyethylene piping can be classified as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE).

Characteristics:

High Density Polyethylene HDPE (Characteristics):

• Non-toxic
• Resistant to extreme environments
• Moreover, Friction resistant
• Chemically resistant​
• Similarly, Nonstick
• Abrasion resistant
• In addition, Impact resistant
• Furthermore, Temperature resistant (Good insulator)
• Easy handling
• Similarly, Corrosion resistant

 

Low Density Polyethylene LDPE (Characteristics):

• Non-toxic
• Similarly, Resistant to extreme environments
• Flexibility
• Chemically resistant​
• Moreover, Nonstick
• Impact resistant​

Fast thing LDPE tubing!

If the person needs to spend a short time with the implanted catheter, a short-term one that is partially inside the skin is chosen. LDPE tubing usually comes in peripheral veins in the upper limbs, such as the arms and hands, and rigid or flexible. They are usually common in the emergency room, as the idea is to provide faster care.

Not so fast!

This type of catheter is common when an access requires for a longer time. It is also partially within the skin, but can be come in peripheral veins or in central veins such as the jugular and subclavian veins. Here, there is a need for the medical team to have access to the patient’s vein for longer.

The catheter is easy to plant, or else fully implanted both go into the thoracic region to make LDPE tubing safer and less uncomfortable for the patient.

What types of chemotherapy catheters?

Prof. Eloise Vieira says that “all catheters can be indicated for chemotherapy. As long as the patient’s vascular conditions exist for such treatment”. To know which one to use, the qualified professional will assess the conditions clinical, physical and what is the treatment protocol. The amount of drugs to administer simultaneously also influences this analysis.

How to carry chemotherapy with LDPE tubing?

Another point to note is the type of chemotherapy that will be part of the treatment: whether they are vesicants or irritants. If vesicant medications are common, it is preferable to use the LDPE tubing with central venous access.

This is because, if this type of medicine leaks, it can cause irritation and blisters on the skin. So, due to the way the central access is inserted, it makes it more secure.

How is the catheter inserted and removed?

There are some side effects to the drug. It is important to be aware, because reactions can be dangerous and lead to discomfort. For arm access, that is, peripheral access, both insertion and removal are done in bed. It can also be in rooms reserved only for invasive procedures with all the necessary support. “The medium and long-term LDPE tubing is inserted in a specific room for the procedure.

 

Varying according to availability and protocol of each service, which could be a Surgical Center and a Hemodynamics Room”, says Eloise. She also emphasizes that for all these procedures, techniques and fully sterilized materials must be common.

Catheter care

The specialist says that each type of catheter has its specific care. However, there are some precautions common to all, such as:

• Protect the dressing at bath time
• Avoid sudden movements
• Always paying attention to the insertion site of the catheter
• Make safe movements
• Avoid activities that can directly affect the catheter
• Maintain good personal hygiene
• Attend the hospital or clinic on the date and time

Use of catheter

It is important to remember that the LDPE tubing must not hurt or burn. If the patient feels something unusual in this region, he or she should look for the responsible nurse and ask for help. Under no circumstances should the catheter be common without guidance from a professional. Eloise says that following care correctly, the patient can lead a normal life without risks, complications or limitations.

Otherwise, it is possible that he may face some infection, bending and even accidental removal of the catheter. Both the patient and the nursing staff must pay attention to the handling of this material.

What is oral chemotherapy?

Much desired by oncologists, this treatment promises to offer a better quality of LDPE tubing and life for the patient. But it cannot be common by everyone.

Do I need to change my catheter?

It depends on the type. Long-term patients should stay with the patient, before, during and after chemotherapy. After completing the chemo, the catheter is kept in case there is a need to administer another drug. Remember that it is necessary to go to the hospital to perform the heparinization according to the instructions of the team.

Designed to meet your specific product requirements, Poly med Medical Tubing improves patient safety and outcomes. Our products are highly customizable in various applications ranging from cannulas for laparoscopic surgery and vein removal procedures, to instrument LDPE tubing for robotic surgery.

Use of fiber architecture

Fiber architecture adaptations; for braiding, CW or UD are currently common in many minimally invasive surgical procedures, sizes range from 3mm to 20mm. Poly Med tubes are available in wall thicknesses up to 0.23mm. All pipe processes is easy to tailor to single or multiple lumen requirements. It is common in applications such as:

• Endoscopic / Laparoscopic Devices
• Irrigation / suction devices
• Electrosurgical devices

In-house design of LDPE tubing and performance engineers use their extensive knowledge and experience in composite science to help you determine the best manufacturing process, fiber architecture, resin formulations, and finish to produce your ideal application.

Architectures include:

• Braiding – a solution for thin-walled pipes
• Circumferentially wound: high-strength tube, with elasticity
• Unidirectional – Provides superior stiffness and added benefits
• Optimal design characteristics are easy to achieve through a variety of continuous fiber orientations and structures

Rigid or flexible tubing

In a flexible configuration, Poly Med tubing is very strong and returns to its original shape. Metal counterparts can permanently bend after the elastic limit exceeds, rendering them unusable. Do you need a rigid tube? LDPE tubing is easy to configure to provide high stiffness with an excellent strength-to-weight ratio compared to stainless steel.