IV Sets

IV Sets: Intravenous Infusion and Drip Sets for Hospitals and Clinics

An IV set, also called an intravenous infusion set, IV drip set or IV administration set, is a sterile, single-use tubing system that carries fluids, medicines and electrolytes from an IV bag or bottle into a patient's vein through a cannula. In wards and pharmacies it is often simply called an IV tube, IV pipe, drip pipe or saline set. Most IV sets work by gravity: the height of the fluid container creates the flow, and a roller clamp or flow regulator controls the rate.

Medikabazaar offers macro drip and micro drip IV sets, vented and non-vented infusion sets, measured volume sets and precision flow regulator sets from manufacturers including Romsons, B. Braun, White Plus, Halemed and Daynacare. Hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, day-care centres and pharmacies can compare options by type, brand and price, and order in single packs or in bulk.

Parts of an IV Set and Their Functions

Most gravity IV sets share the same basic components. Knowing what each part does makes it easier to compare products and set them up correctly.

Types of IV Sets

IV sets are usually classified in three ways: by drop size (macro or micro), by venting (vented or non-vented) and by clinical function (standard, measured volume, flow regulated, filtered and so on). Most products combine one option from each group, for example a vented macro drip set with a Y-site.

Macro Drip vs Micro Drip IV Sets

A macro drip IV set (macro set) produces larger drops, with a drop factor of 10, 15 or 20 drops per mL depending on the manufacturer. Sets made to ISO 8536-4, the international standard for single-use gravity infusion sets, deliver 20 drops per mL. Macro sets are used for routine adult hydration and for giving larger volumes of normal saline, Ringer lactate or dextrose at moderate to fast rates.

A micro drip IV set (microset) has a fine drop-forming tube inside the drip chamber and delivers 60 drops per mL, so each drop is about 1/60th of a mL. This makes small volumes and slow rates easier to control, which is why micro sets are preferred in paediatric and neonatal care, for patients on fluid restriction, and for medicines titrated in small amounts. A useful bedside fact: with a 60 drops per mL set, drops per minute equal mL per hour. The Romsons Romo Flow micro infusion set is one example that adds a flow regulator to micro drip delivery.

Vented vs Non-Vented IV Sets

A vented IV set has an air vent with a bacterial filter next to the spike. It is needed for glass bottles and rigid or semi-rigid plastic bottles that do not collapse as they empty; without air coming in, the fluid would stop flowing. Many vented sets have a closable vent, so they can also be used with collapsible bags.

A non-vented IV set has no air inlet and is designed for collapsible IV bags, which flatten as fluid leaves. Before ordering, check which container types your facility uses most, as using a non-vented set with a rigid bottle will stop the infusion.

Specialised Infusion Sets

• Measured volume (burette) sets: include a graduated chamber, commonly 100 or 150 mL, between the container and the drip chamber. They limit how much fluid can reach the patient and are widely used in paediatric and critical care.
• Precision flow regulator sets: use a dial instead of, or as well as, a roller clamp to set an approximate rate in mL per hour. They improve gravity infusion control but are not a substitute for an infusion pump where exact delivery is required.
• Filtered IV sets: add an in-line filter to reduce particulate matter, air or microbial contamination, depending on the filter type.
• Light-protected sets: use amber or opaque tubing for light-sensitive medicines, including some chemotherapy drugs.
• Sets with Y-site or needle-free ports: allow secondary or bolus medicines to be given through the same line.
• Pump-compatible sets: made for specific volumetric infusion pump models. Always check pump compatibility before buying.

IV Set Types at a Glance

IV Set Drop Factor and Drip Rate Calculation

The drop factor is the number of drops that make up 1 mL, and it is printed on every IV set pack. It is needed to convert a prescribed volume and time into drops per minute when infusing by gravity:

Drops per minute = (Volume in mL x Drop factor) / Time in minutes

• 500 mL over 4 hours with a 20 drops/mL macro set: (500 x 20) / 240 = about 42 drops per minute.
• 100 mL over 2 hours with a 60 drops/mL micro set: (100 x 60) / 120 = 50 drops per minute, which is also 50 mL per hour.

Roller clamps can drift as tubing softens, so the drip rate should be rechecked during the infusion. Always follow the prescription and your facility's protocol, and use an infusion pump when tight accuracy is clinically necessary.

Uses of IV Sets

IV sets are used wherever fluids or medicines need to be given directly into a vein, including:

• Rehydration and maintenance fluids such as normal saline, Ringer lactate, dextrose and DNS
• Intravenous antibiotics, analgesics and other medicines, either continuously or intermittently
• Electrolyte replacement and correction of fluid loss
• Pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative fluid management in OTs and recovery areas
• Emergency and trauma care, where macro sets allow faster fluid delivery
• Paediatric and neonatal units, where micro drip and burette sets support small, controlled volumes
• Day-care, home-care and veterinary settings, using sets suited to the patient and the fluid container

How to Choose the Right IV Set

There is no single best IV set for every situation. The right choice depends on the patient, the fluid container and how precisely the rate needs to be controlled. When comparing IV sets and brands, check the following:

1. Drop factor: macro sets for routine adult infusions, micro sets (60 drops/mL) for children, fluid-restricted patients and slow rates.
2. Fluid container: vented sets for glass and rigid bottles, non-vented sets for collapsible bags.
3. Medicines being given: a Y-site for add-on doses, light-protected tubing for light-sensitive drugs, an in-line filter where required.
4. Connector: a Luer lock gives a more secure connection to the cannula than a Luer slip and reduces the risk of accidental disconnection.
5. Material: DEHP-free or non-PVC tubing is often preferred for neonates, children and long infusions; choose a latex-free injection site for patients with latex allergy.
6. Flow control: a standard roller clamp, a precision flow regulator, or a set compatible with your infusion pump.
7. Quality and sterility: a sealed, undamaged sterile pack with batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates, sterilisation method and manufacturer details clearly printed.
8. Pack size and storage: match pack size to ward consumption and store sets in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

When comparing brands such as Romsons, B. Braun, White Plus or Halemed, compare like-for-like specifications (drop factor, venting, filter, connector and tubing material) rather than brand name or price alone.

IV Set Price in India

IV set price depends mainly on the type of set and the components it includes. Standard macro drip sets are the most economical, while micro drip, burette, precision flow regulator, filtered and light-protected sets cost more because of their additional parts. Other factors include DEHP-free or non-PVC tubing, Luer lock connectors, Y-sites, brand and pack size.

IV sets are usually sold in packs of 10, 25, 50 or 100, so the most useful comparison is the cost per set: divide the pack price by the number of sets. Buying larger packs or ordering in bulk generally lowers the per-set cost for hospitals and high-use wards. For example, the Daynacare non-vented infusion set comes in a pack of 50, which suits wards that use IV bags every day. Current prices, pack sizes and discounts for every IV set are shown in the product listing above.

Buy IV Sets Online at Medikabazaar

Use the filters on this page to narrow IV sets by brand, type and price, then open any product to check its drop factor, venting, filter, connector and pack size before ordering. Medikabazaar supplies hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies across India, with wholesale pricing for bulk orders. Delivery, payment and replacement terms are shown on each product page.