Medical infusion equipment testing according to ISO 8536-4

Performance and safety testing of single-use gravity feed infusion sets for medical use according to ISO 8536-4. Measurlabs offers the following tests from the standard:

Particulate contamination: Ten infusion sets are flushed with filtered distilled water under laminar flow conditions, and the eluate is vacuum filtered through a 0.45 µm membrane. Particles are counted microscopically and classified into three size categories (25–50 µm, 51–100 µm, and >100 µm, with respective weighting coefficients of 0.1, 0.2, and 5). A blank control is run simultaneously, and the blank-corrected contamination index must not exceed 90.

Efficiency of the fluid filter: The fluid filter is tested using an aqueous suspension of latex particles (20 ± 1 µm diameter, approximately 1000 particles per 100 ml). The test suspension is passed through the filter, and the effluent is collected on a membrane filter. Retained latex particles are counted microscopically at ×50 to ×100 magnification across a minimum of 50% of the grid squares. The retention rate, calculated as the proportion of particles retained relative to the total particle count in the test fluid, must be at least 80%.

Chemical tests on the extract: A test solution is prepared by circulating 250 ml of grade 1 or grade 2 water through three infusion sets for 2 hours at 37°C. A blank control solution is prepared identically without infusion sets. The solutions are tested for the following parameters:

  • Reducing (oxidizable) matter: Titrimetric determination using potassium permanganate; the difference in Na2S2O3 consumption between the test and blank solutions must not exceed 2.0 ml.

  • Metal ions: Colorimetric assessment and/or AAS; total barium, chromium, copper, lead, and tin must not exceed 1 µg/ml, and cadmium must not exceed 0.1 µg/ml.

  • Titration acidity or alkalinity: Titration with NaOH or HCl using Tashiro indicator; no more than 1 ml of either titrant shall be required to reach the grey endpoint.

  • Residue on evaporation: Gravimetric determination after evaporation and drying at 105°C; total dry residue must not exceed 5 mg per 50 ml of extract.

  • UV absorption: Scanning spectrophotometry from 250 to 320 nm relative to the blank; absorbance must be below 0.1 across the wavelength range.

For information on other tests described in ISO 8536-4, please contact our experts using the form below.

Suitable sample matrices
Single-use infusion sets with a gravity feed
Required sample quantity
Depends on the selected tests, e.g., 12 pieces for particulate contamination (10 for testing, 1 as retention sample, 1 for pretest), 3 pieces for fluid filter efficiency (2 tested, 1 retention)
Available quality systems
Accredited testing laboratory
Standard
Questions? We're happy to help.
Questions? We're happy to help.
Ringing phone
Kone logoNeste logoFermion logoPlanmeca logoSulapac logoOkmetic logo

Ask for an offer

Fill in the form, and we'll reply in one business day.

Have questions or need help? Email us at or call our sales team.