Squeeze bulbs are versatile devices used to pump fluids and gases, with medical applications such as blood pressure cuffs and ventilators. They can also be used for controlled suction and to transfer fluids, and are typically made of rubber.
A squeeze bulb is a device that can be used to suck up or pump fluids and gases. In the medical community, there are a number of different uses for compression bulbs, from old-fashioned blood pressure cuffs to ambu bags used to ventilate patients who can’t breathe on their own. Squeeze bulbs also appear in a number of other settings, as the fixtures are simple, yet highly versatile and are very easy to use.
The compression bulb consists of a balloon made of rigid material. When someone squeezes the bulb, the air or fluid inside is forced out. Releasing the balloon sucks in air or fluid. A valve on the port can also be used to regulate the flow of air or fluid if needed. In one sense, the squeeze bulb is an example of a simple pump, and these devices can in fact be used that way.
With things like blood pressure pumps and bag valve masks, the squeeze bulb is used as a pump to force out the air. Pressure bulbs can also be used for controlled suction of gases or fluids, with the user releasing the bulb just enough to suck something up. For example, squeeze bulbs are sometimes used to clean out babies’ noses after birth, with a small nozzle inserted into the nose as the doctor releases the attached bulb to draw out mucus and other debris that could be blocking the nasal airways.
A modified version of the squeezebulb can also be seen on the Pasteur pipette or dropper. In this case, the bulb is attached to a rigid tube and the bulb can be squeezed and released to transfer fluids. Sometimes liquid medications are packaged with a dropper for administration, and these devices are also used in laboratories to transfer and manipulate liquids. While controlling exact amounts is difficult, making these devices unsuitable for measurements, many other tasks can be performed with an eyedropper.
Squeeze bulbs are usually made from rubber, as it is flexible and strong, making them suitable for this type of application. Alternative materials are available for use with latex allergic patients to avoid causing contact dermatitis or airway irritation. These versions tend not to hold up well because they are stiffer than the latex products used in a more traditional compression bulb. However, durability may not be an issue, as many squeeze bulbs are designed to be disposable.
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