The Anesthesia Machine and Workstation - Chapter 2

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms related to the anesthesia machine and workstation.

Anesthesia Workstation

A system for administering anesthesia to patients, consisting of the gas delivery system.

Anesthesia Gas Delivery System

The system that delivers anesthetic gases to the patient and includes the machine, vaporizers, breathing system, ventilator, waste gas scavenging system, and monitoring/protection devices.

Anesthesia Machine

Device that receives compressed gases from cylinders or suppliers to create a known gas mixture at the common gas outlet (CGO), with safety features to prevent hypoxic delivery.

Common Gas Outlet (CGO)

Outlet that receives the gas output from the anesthesia machine for delivery to the anesthesia circuit.

Gas Flow Proportioning System

System that proportions gas flows to prevent delivery of a hypoxic gas mixture.

Pressure Sensor Shut-Off (Fail-Safe) System

Safety feature that interrupts or reduces the supply of nitrous oxide and other gases to their flow meters when unsafe conditions are detected.

Gas Inlets (DISS)

Gas inlet connections using Diameter-Index Safety System (DISS); gas-specific.

Gauges and Sensors

Devices that measure pressures, flows, and other parameters in the anesthesia system.

Pressure Regulators

Convert variable high input gas pressure to a constant, lower output pressure.

Oxygen Flush Valve

Valve delivering a rapid flow of oxygen (typically 35–75 L/min) to the breathing system for flushing or emergency ventilation; risk of barotrauma.

Flow Meters

Display the flow rate of a specific gas in liters per minute; can be mechanical or electronic.

Rotameters

Vertical glass tubes with a float that are gas-specific and calibrated for a given range of temperature and pressure.

Breathing System

Central component connecting the anesthesia gas delivery to the patient and to other components; simple and logical.

Ventilator

Device to provide support for breathing and enable delivery/removal of anesthetic gases; has two basic modes: Pressure Control and Volume Control.

Pressure Control (Ventilation Mode)

Ventilation mode delivering a set airway pressure.

Volume Control (Ventilation Mode)

Ventilation mode delivering a set tidal volume.

Waste Gas Scavenging System (WAGS)

Removes waste anesthetic gases from the operating room; can be active (requiring suction) or passive (relying on passive flow); collects WAGs from the breathing circuit and discards them; exits via the APL valve.

Vaporizers

Convert volatile anesthetic medication from liquid to vapor at a set concentration for delivery; designed to hold only one specific agent and clearly labeled.

Key-Filling System

Component associated with vaporizers used to fill with the specific volatile agent; often labeled for safety (e.g., "Use Only Sevoflurane").

Monitoring and Protection Devices

Provide vital information to ensure safe patient care and include gas analyzers, ECG, pulse oximeter, NIBP, capnography, and temperature monitoring.

Gas Analyzers

Monitor concentrations of volatile anesthetics (e.g., Sevoflurane, Isoflurane, Desflurane).

ECG

Electrocardiography; monitors the electrical activity of the heart.

Pulse Oximeter

Measures arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2).

Non-Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP)

Non-invasive measurement of blood pressure.

Capnography

Monitors the concentration of CO2 in inspired and expired air.

Temperature Monitoring

Monitoring the patient’s body temperature.

Anesthesia Workstation

A system for administering anesthesia to patients, consisting of the gas delivery system.

Anesthesia Gas Delivery System

The system that delivers anesthetic gases to the patient and includes the machine, vaporizers, breathing system, ventilator, waste gas scavenging system, and monitoring/protection devices.

Anesthesia Machine

Device that receives compressed gases from cylinders or suppliers to create a known gas mixture at the common gas outlet (CGO), with safety features to prevent hypoxic delivery.

Common Gas Outlet (CGO)

Outlet that receives the gas output from the anesthesia machine for delivery to the anesthesia circuit.

Gas Flow Proportioning System

System that proportions gas flows to prevent delivery of a hypoxic gas mixture.

Pressure Sensor Shut-Off (Fail-Safe) System

Safety feature that interrupts or reduces the supply of nitrous oxide and other gases to their flow meters when unsafe conditions are detected.

Gas Inlets (DISS)

Gas inlet connections using Diameter-Index Safety System (DISS); gas-specific.

Gauges and Sensors

Devices that measure pressures, flows, and other parameters in the anesthesia system.

Pressure Regulators

Convert variable high input gas pressure to a constant, lower output pressure.

Oxygen Flush Valve

Valve delivering a rapid flow of oxygen (typically 35–75 L/min) to the breathing system for flushing or emergency ventilation; risk of barotrauma.

Flow Meters

Display the flow rate of a specific gas in liters per minute; can be mechanical or electronic.

Rotameters

Vertical glass tubes with a float that are gas-specific and calibrated for a given range of temperature and pressure.

Breathing System

Central component connecting the anesthesia gas delivery to the patient and to other components; simple and logical.

Ventilator

Device to provide support for breathing and enable delivery/removal of anesthetic gases; has two basic modes: Pressure Control and Volume Control.

Pressure Control (Ventilation Mode)

Ventilation mode delivering a set airway pressure.

Volume Control (Ventilation Mode)

Ventilation mode delivering a set tidal volume.

Waste Gas Scavenging System (WAGS)

Removes waste anesthetic gases from the operating room; can be active (requiring suction) or passive (relying on passive flow); collects WAGs from the breathing circuit and discards them; exits via the APL valve.

Vaporizers

Convert volatile anesthetic medication from liquid to vapor at a set concentration for delivery; designed to hold only one specific agent and clearly labeled.

Key-Filling System

Component associated with vaporizers used to fill with the specific volatile agent; often labeled for safety (e.g., "Use Only Sevoflurane").

Monitoring and Protection Devices

Provide vital information to ensure safe patient care and include gas analyzers, ECG, pulse oximeter, NIBP, capnography, and temperature monitoring.

Gas Analyzers

Monitor concentrations of volatile anesthetics (e.g., Sevoflurane, Isoflurane, Desflurane).

ECG

Electrocardiography; monitors the electrical activity of the heart.

Pulse Oximeter

Measures arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2).

Non-Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP)

Non-invasive measurement of blood pressure.

Capnography

Monitors the concentration of CO2 in inspired and expired air.

Temperature Monitoring

Monitoring the patient’s body temperature.

Carbon Dioxide Absorber

A component in a rebreathing circuit that removes carbon dioxide from expired gases, allowing rebreathing of anesthetic gases and oxygen.

Unidirectional Valves

Valves within the breathing circuit (e.g., inspiratory and expiratory valves) that ensure gas flows in only one direction, preventing rebreathing of exhaled CO2 before it reaches the absorber.

Adjustable Pressure-Limiting (APL) Valve

A user-adjustable valve that provides an outlet for excess gas from the breathing circuit, preventing excessive pressure buildup and allowing for manual ventilation while connecting to the WAGS.

Reservoir Bag

A compliant bag within the breathing system that acts as a gas reservoir, accommodates tidal volume, and allows for visual monitoring of spontaneous respiration and manual ventilation.