ReLink IV

Reducing intravenous (IV) catheter dislodgement in high-stakes environments

In combat casualty care, every second matters—and so does every IV line

Engineered for chaotic conditions

Securing reliable IV access in the field is a critical challenge. Pre-hospital IV failure rates are alarmingly high due to chaotic environments and patient instability. Accidental IV catheter dislodgements delay care, waste essential fluids and blood, and increase the risk of infection.

Securing and maintaining IV access is crucial for treating trauma and haemorrhagic shock in combat casualty care. However, achieving and maintaining IV access can be challenging because of factors like tactical constraints, sparse medical resources, and heightened delirium risk.

Catheter dislodgement poses serious consequences — not only can it worsen patient outcomes, but it can also disrupts treatment continuity, wastes critical fluids and medications, and increase the strain on already limited personnel. In high-stakes environments, preserving every line is important for both patient survival and operational efficiency.

The challenge

Combat casualty care equipment needs an upgrade

“Nearly 90% of combat fatalities occur before reaching a treatment facility.”

-— Tactical Combat Casualty Care Handbook (2017)

“Only 12.2% of battlefield casualties received fluids prehospital. IV placement is often missed due to harsh conditions.”

— Trends in Prehospital Fluid Administration, Oxford Military Medicine (2022)

ReLink IV

Safeguarding IV therapy with precision-engineered breakaway protection

ReLink IV is a breakaway connector, featuring double-sided, self-sealable valves, with weak link activation to protect the IV catheter placement site and minimise catheter dislodgement. ReLink IV enhances infusion stability and prevents loss of fluid resources.

After separation, ReLink IV parts can be disinfected and reconnected for rapid
reinstatement of IV therapy.