The Basics of Anesthesia Machines for Hospitals and Other Medical Facilities

The Basics of Anesthesia Machines for Hospitals and Other Medical Facilities

Monday, July 24, 2017


Anesthesia machines are one of the essential components to many medical facilities from hospitals to endodontic offices. They contain many vital features that allow the machine to operate properly and safely.

A skilled anesthesiologist will know these common parts, even if the model of the machine varies.

Anesthesia Machine Design

An anesthesia machine can be characterized as having three distinct functional components. There is a high-pressure system that receives gases from their source at high pressure and makes the pressure constant. Then there is the intermediate-pressure system, which receives gases from the hospital gas system or from a regulator and passes them on to various flow meters and/or an oxygen flush valve. Lastly the low-pressure system delivers gases from flow meters to the patient ventilation system, and it has vaporizers as well.

High-Pressure System

This system is made up of all the machine components that receive gas from a high-pressure source, such as a gas cylinder or hospital gas system. This includes a yoke block to connect large gas cylinders and pipeline hoses. It also includes pressure gauges and pressure regulators that convert a high, variable pressure source into a lower, constant pressure that is usable within the machine.

Intermediate-Pressure System

This includes machine components that receive the reduced pressure gases. This may include pipeline inlet connections, pressure gauges and power outlets for the ventilator, along with the oxygen pressure fail-safe systems.

There is also an oxygen flush system. This is a direct connection between the oxygen pressure regulator and the oxygen flush.

It is used primarily during mask ventilation when there is a lot of leakage between the mask and the face of the patient and in patients that have airways that are difficult. It can also be used to provide ventilatory support in various clinical scenarios. When the oxygen flush is operated, the patient receives pure oxygen that is not contaminated with any other gases.

Low-Pressure System

This is the portion of the system that receives lower pressure gasses from the flow meters. The pressure in this instance is slightly greater than atmospheric pressure. The low-pressure system includes vaporizers, devices to ensure pressure safety, and a gas outlet. There is also a frequency valve which allows the use of a breathing attachment that is semi-closed when turned in one direction and passes gasses to a circle absorber in the other direction.

Buying New and Refurbished Anesthesia Machines

With all of the systems above working together, anesthesia machines are able to precisely prepare a gas mixture and deliver it to the patient.

If you’re searching for a new or refurbished device, Future Health Concepts (FHC) offers top quality anesthesia machines from Penlon and also refurbished anesthesia machines from Datex & Drager. FHC is an FDA registered refurbisher and does all of our own medical equipment refurbishing in-house.

Having worked in this industry for more than 40 years, we understand what it takes to supply a medical facility with quality products that will help their clinics become more efficient and successful. Call us today at 1-888-282-8644.

Staff 7/24/2017