A safety-led connector system to deliver Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (TIVA), co-designed with practicing anaesthetists, has spiked demand in the UK - and has now expanded to debut a low volume product.
Available exclusively from Vygon, the medical device manufacturer has revealed a surge of demand in its TIVA products supplied to NHS Trusts nationwide. This growth aligns with a broader clinical shift from inhalation anaesthesia to TIVA, with Vygon offering the only connection system to best satisfy recommendations in the 2019 Guidelines for the Safe Practice of TIVA.
Responding to clinician demand, the latest addition to the TIVA range retains key safety features such as anti-reflux valves, armoured tubing to prevent kinking, and minimal dead space to reduce drug mixing. However, this specialised product has a priming volume of just 1.8ml, compared to 4.8ml of a standard TIVA A-set, making it ideal for lighter weight patients and a range of sedation applications. This includes:
- Paediatric anaesthesia
- Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
- Remifentanil infusions
- Cancer chemotherapy with concurrent IV fluids
- Sedation in dental and outpatient procedures
Initially launched in the Middle East, the product is manufactured by Anaesthetic Medical Systems (AMS) and distributed exclusively in the UK and Ireland by Vygon.
Dr. Tim Craft, a prominent hospital doctor for over 30 years, Consultant Anaesthetist in the West of England and founder of AMS, is at the forefront of innovation in clinical practice for anaesthesia.
He explains: “The UK has long been a pioneer in TIVA adoption, and the benefits compared to inhalation anaesthesia are clear— with the right equipment, TIVA is safer, cleaner, and better for patients and the planet.
“This new low volume set benefits from 25 years of clinical input into the design of TIVA connection systems, plus it’s offered in light-protective tubing for use with photosensitive drugs.
“Whilst having a propofol line with a bigger internal diameter is advantageous during induction of anaesthesia, especially in larger patients, there are scenarios where a lower volume line is desirable, and we responded to anaesthetists who called for this variant.”
Vygon UK’s Beverley Jones adds: “It’s fantastic that Vygon is the exclusive distributor of this expanded TIVA range, adding to our portfolio of quality, safety-first products that adapt to the needs of clinicians and to evolving practice.
“We know the TIVA range offers huge benefits for the delivery of anaesthesia, from reduced need for muscle relaxants, fewer postoperative complications, and shorter recovery. Crucially, this translates into reduced bed occupancy, fewer re-admissions to hospital and overall better use of resource. It aligns well with Vygon’s commitment to help the NHS deliver on its goals for high-quality, sustainable care.”
To learn more about Vygon’s TIVA range visit vygon.co.uk/products/anaesthesia/tiva-sets/
