Anesthesia Machine

Dr. Ravindra Prasad

July 5, 2000

8:00-10:00

Simulator Lab, Room 303 MacNider

 

 

 

Objective: To learn the mechanics of anesthesia delivery systems, and their relevance in the clinical setting.

 

Reading: Longnecker and Murphy, Introduction to Anesthesia, Chapter 5, pp. 36-48.

 

Questions:

 

1.        

Describe design elements of the anesthesia delivery system intended to prevent delivery of a hypoxic gas mixture. Consider the pathway followed by gases, from source to patient.

·         PISS, DISS

·         Color-coded gas cylinders and tubing (O2 green, N2O blue)

·         Fail-safe alarm

·         N2O - O2 flowmeter coupling

·         Flowmeter color-coding

·         Flowmeter positioning (oxygen last)

·         FiO2 monitor (ventilator)

·         Gas-monitoring device (Datex)

 

2.        

Describe changes in O2 pressure, from source to destination (end of endotracheal tube). How are these changes regulated?

·         Wall 50psi. Cylinder pressure depends on content

·         1st pressure regulator, down to ?16

·         Flowmeters variably reduce pressure, depending on setting

3.        

How does pressure change in E size oxygen and nitrous oxide cylinders as gas content changes?

·         O2: compressed gas. Full = 625L, 2000 psi. Linear decrease, 3.2 psi/L lost.

·         N2O: liquid and gas at equilibruim. 750 psi until all liquid gone. Full = 1590L. Pressure starts to fall at about 400L

4.        

Draw internal circuitry of an anesthesia machine. Explain function of each part

5.        

Describe how the modern vaporizer works. Compare with the Tec 6 vaporizer.

·         an “agent-specific, variable bypass, flow-over, temperature-compensated, out-of circuit vaporizer”

·         calibrated for particular volatile agent (vapor pressure)

·         dial controls portion of fresh gas that bypasses liquid

·         remainder of gas (20% or less of total) flows over liquid agent and agent-saturated wicks (inc. surface area). Output stable unless <250ml/min total flow (output lower than setting due to pressure insufficient to move relatively heavy agent molecules upward) or >15L/min (lower due to incomplete mixing)

·         a bimetallic strip or expansion element modifies amount of bypass depending on temperature. vaporizer output nearly linear at 20-35 Centigrade

·         Desflurane vapor pressure is 664mmHg, near 1atm at 20deg. Tec6 is heated to constant temp (23-25 deg) and pressure (1500 mmHg) for controlled delivery, with computer-controlled flow

6.        

Describe the Mapleson and Bain breathing circuits.

7.        

Draw a picture of the circle absorption breathing system

8.        

What are the advantages of the circle system?

·         some conservation of moisture and heat

·         can use fresh gas flow less than minute ventilation ==> decreased pollution

9.        

What are the disadvantages of the circle system?

·         increased resistance to breathing (valves, CO2 cannister

·         bulkiness of equipment

·         more parts ==> inc chance for malfunction

10.     

Compare closed circle system and semiclosed circle system.

Circle:

·         =APL completely closed, fresh gas flow low (150-500 ml/min)

·         (metabolic need under anesthesia = 150-250 ml/min)

·         maximal preservation of heat and moisture

·         less pollution

·         less agent used (cheaper)

·         cannot change agent concentration or FiO2 quickly

·         unpredictable FiO2 (esp if N2O used, due to variable uptake)

·         unknown anesthetic concentration (due to changing uptake; high initially, then decreased)

11.     

Describe the machine checkout

·         emergency equipment

·         oxygen cylinder, at least 1000 psi

·         oxygen wall supply

·         negative pressure leak test (machine switch OFF; check with each vaporizer on)

·         flowmeter function, oxygen-nitrous coupling

·         calibrate machine oxygen monitor

·         breathing system leak check/APL check/scavenging check

·         unidirectional valve check

·         ventilator check

·         monitor check

12.     

Compare soda lime with baralyme

Both

·         add moisture and heat to inhaled gases

·         (dry gases can damage respiratory epithelium within one hour. After several hours, inspissated secretions ŕ ETT obstruction)

·         (cold gases can lead to significant heat loss, especially in infants and children, who are rendered poikilothermic by GA)

Soda lime:

·         Ca(OH)2, NaOH, KOH and water. Silica to give granules hardness (minimize formation of alkaline dust, which could cause irritation or bronchospasm if inhaled)

·         CO2 + H2O ŕ H2CO3
H2CO3 + 2NaOH
ŕ Na2CO3 (rapid) + 2H2O + heat
H2CO3 + Ca(OH)2
ŕ CaCO3 (slow) + 2H2O + heat

Baralyme:

·         Ba(OH)2 and Ca(OH)2 (+bound water of crystallization)

·         CO2 + H2O ŕ H2CO3
H2CO3 + Ba(OH)2
ŕ BaCO3 (rapid) + 2H2O + heat
H2CO3 + Ca(OH)2
ŕ CaCO3 (slow) + 2H2O + heat

·         bound water č more reliable performance in dry environments

13.     

What factors determine efficiency of carbon dioxide neutralization?

·         size of granules: optimal = 4-8 mesh; compromise between surface area and resistance to air flow

·         channeling = preferential passage of gases through low-resistance channels, which bypasses most of the absorbent granules. Most often caused by loose packing of granules. Granules may be held in place by screens or baffles to help prevent channeling

·         optimally, full tidal volume can be accommodated within the void space of the canister

14.     

What elements of the anesthesia delivery system act to prevent equipment contamination or cross-infection between patients?

·         only small amount of bacteria released during anesthesia

·         bacteria released with coughing unlikely to be pathogenic

·         bacteria released often susceptible to even low concentrations of oxygen

·         bacteria in circle system exposed to shifts in humidity and temperature (probably the most important factors responsible for bacterial killing in the ADS)

·         bacteria do not survive in vaporizers, although clinical concentrations do not kill them

·         metallic ions present in machine are highly lethal (copper, zinc, chromium, brass)

·         acid-fast bacilli (TB) are the most resistant - should use disposable circuit or disinfect non-disposable equipment

 

*An answer key for these questions is available from the residents’ secretary.