Oct 18 (Reuters) - Medical device maker B. Braun Medical

said on Friday it expects to ramp up production of intravenous

(IV) saline fluids by 20% at its plants in Irvine, California,

and Daytona Beach, Florida, in the coming weeks.

The ramp up will boost its annual production of IV sets by

more than 30 million, the company said, adding that it is also

increasing production of related devices such as valves and

connectors used in infusion therapy.

B. Braun said it is working with the government to identify

and authorize the use of IV fluids from facilities outside the

U.S.

Baxter International ( BAX ), one of the four main U.S.

suppliers of IV fluids, had to halt production at its North

Carolina plant late last month due to flooding caused by

Hurricane Helene, triggering a nationwide shortage.

On Thursday, Baxter said it will import 18,000 tons of IV

products from its newly cleared international plants to the U.S.

by the end of the year to mitigate the shortage.

IV fluids are used to provide nutrients to the body or

replenish fluids lost due to injury or illness.