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Medical gases

Gases used in medical applications, classified as laboratory, therapeutic, or anesthetic gases.

Laboratory gases

Gases used for calibrating equipment and diagnostic testing, such as during pulmonary function tests.

Therapeutic gases

Gases used to relieve symptoms and improve oxygenation in patients with hypoxemia.

Anesthetic gases

Gases used in combination with oxygen to provide anesthesia during surgical procedures.

Oxygen characteristics

Colorless, odorless, transparent, and tasteless; nonflammable but accelerates combustion.

Fractional distillation

A process to produce large quantities of medical oxygen by separating air into its components.

Molecular sieve

A method of physical separation that absorbs nitrogen to produce concentrated oxygen.

Medical air

Filtered and compressed regular air, primarily consisting of 21% oxygen.

Nebulizer

A device that delivers medication in the form of mist to be inhaled, often used for asthma patients.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) characteristics

Colorless, odorless gas that does not support combustion and has a specific gravity of 1.52.

Helium

An odorless, tasteless, nonflammable gas used therapeutically for patients with airway constriction.

Nitric oxide

A colorless, nonflammable gas used in medical treatment, particularly for infants with respiratory failure.

Gas cylinders

Storage containers for medical gases, made of seamless steel, regulated by the Department of Transportation.

Pressure relief valves

Safety features on gas cylinders designed to release gas if the pressure gets too high.

Bordon gauge

A type of pressure gauge used on tanks, not gravity dependent, useful for patient transport.

Humidity deficit

The difference between the actual water vapor present in inspired air and the maximum amount it can hold at body temperature.

Active humidifiers

Devices that add heat or water to the gas delivered to patients to ensure proper humidity levels.

Bland aerosol therapy

Therapies involving liquid particles suspended in gas, used primarily for airway management and delivery of medications.

Isothermic saturation boundary (ISB)

The point in the respiratory tract where inspired air reaches body temperature and humidity levels.

Heat moisture exchanger (HME)

A passive device used to capture exhaled humidity and return it to the patient.

Hypertonic solution

A solution with a higher concentration of solutes used to thin secretions.

Aerosol mask

A patient interface used to deliver aerosolized medications, usually with large bore tubing.

Monitoring outcomes

The process of observing and assessing patient responses to treatments for adjustments or discontinuation.

Aerosol generation

The process of creating aerosolized medication usually via nebulizers or humidifiers.

Radiographic contrast agents

Substances used in imaging to enhance the visibility of structures in the body, sometimes containing gases.

Cylinder manifold system

Connects large Oâ‚‚ cylinders.

Auto-switches to reserve when primary is low.

Cylinder supply reserve

Cylinder System: Primary, secondary, and reserve supply; auto-switches when primary is depleted.

Bulk gas system

Bulk Gas System: Used in large facilities; liquid Oâ‚‚ saves space and provides large gas volume.

Three systems used to ensure correct gas source

American Standard Safety System (ASSS)

For large cylinders and their attachments

Prevents accidental misconnections

Asss

Diss

Three systems used to ensure correct gas source

Diameter-Index Safety System (DISS)

For low-pressure gas connectors ( our connection in the lab at patient bedside)

Found at outlets of pressure-reducing valves, outlets of central piping systems, and inlets of blenders, flowmeters, vents

Piss

Three systems are used (Cont.)

Pin-Index Safety System (PISS)

For small cylinders (up to and including size E) and their attachments

Cylinders have yoke type connection

Exact positions of pins and pinholes vary for each gas

2-5 for oxygen

1-5 for air

Reducing valve

Lowers high cylinder pressure to 50 PSI, controls pressure and flow

Bourdon gauge

Best for transport not gravity dependent', E cylinder regulator,, pressure based flowmeter that operates accurately in any position

Thorpe tube flowmeter

Gravity dependent used in stationary setups to measure gas flow accurately when up right, best for hospital use, 50 PIS gas sourse

Flow restrictor

Limits flow rate of a fluid by constricting the space which it can travel