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Originally published on the Vet Anaesthesia Tips blog 29/7/2016: The Anaesthetic Machine: Made Simple. Scroll down to find links to the whole series.
This is the beginning of a series of blogs about the anaesthetic machine. My aim is to provide a basic and simple understanding of how your anaesthetic machine works.
Anaesthetic machines can be very confusing, especially if you only use them occasionally or if you are faced with a new machine. A thorough understanding of the basic elements of an anaesthetic machine should make it possible for you to easily set up, test and troubleshoot any machine.
When I talk about the ‘anaesthetic machine’ I don’t include breathing systems. These should be considered separately from the machine itself. Hence, I do not include soda lime canisters, APL valves or expiratory/inspiratory valves here. These may be permanently attached to your anaesthetic machine, but they are actually part of a rebreathing CIRCLE system.
Understanding that these elements are part of a breathing system rather than the machine itself makes life much easier when it comes to attaching a breathing system, especially a non-rebreathing (e.g. Bain) system!
The basic elements that should be present in any anaesthetic machine are:
The above elements are listed in order from a gas supply (highest pressure), to the common gas outlet where a patient’s breathing system is attached (lowest pressure).
I will go through each of these elements separately over the next few months.
I will attach photos and videos to illustrate my blogs as we go along. But it’s a great idea to have a look at the anaesthetic machines in your practice as we go; to identify each element and understand how it works.
Click here to read The Veterinary Anaesthetic Machine Made Simple Part 1
Click here to read The Veterinary Anaesthetic Machine Made Simple Part 2: Gas Cylinders
Click here to read The Veterinary Anaesthetic Machine Made Simple Part 3: Pipeline Gas Supply
Click here to read The Veterinary Anaesthetic Machine Made Simple Part 5: The Oxygen Flush Valve
Click here to read The Veterinary Anaesthetic Machine Made Simple Part 6: Flowmeters
Click here to read Veterinary Anaesthesia – Vaporisers
Click here to read Benefits of using a co-induction technique in veterinary anaesthesia
Dr Jen Davis (@Dr GasVet) is a European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. She is currently undertaking a PhD at Murdoch University, investigating the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury induced by anaesthesia-related hypotension. Jen also works part-time as registrar in veterinary anaesthesia at The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University, where she administers sedation, anaesthesia, and analgesia to all species of animal, as well as teaching undergraduate students and resident vets studying to become anaesthesia specialists. A summary of Jen’s research, and open access to her published work can be found on ResearchGate.
Connect with Dr Jen:
We've shared a version of this post since 2013 - each year we add more great ideas & resources 🙂 Veterinary Nurse & Technician Awareness Week 7-11 October 2024 Veterinary Nurse & Technician Day Friday 11th October 2024 We all know how essential Vet Nurses...
Thank you for your help.
Sonja xx