Medical Gas

Therapy
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Characteristics of Medical
Gases
 Characteristics of Medical
Gases
1. Oxygen
O2 is a colorless, odorless, transparent, and
tasteless gas. At standard temperature, pressure,
and dry (STPD), O2 has a density of 1.429 g/L,
being slightly heavier than air (1.29 g/L).
 Characteristics of Medical
Gases
2. Air
Atmospheric air is a colorless, odorless, naturally
occurring gas mixture that consists of 20.95% O2,
78.1% N2, and approximately 1% “trace” gases,
mainly argon. At STPD, the density of air is 1.29
g/L, which is used as the standard for measuring
specific gravity of other gases.
Medical-grade air usually is produced by filtering
and compressing atmospheric air.
 Characteristics of Medical
Gases
3. Carbon Dioxide
At STPD, CO2 is a colorless and odorless
gas with a specific gravity of 1.52
(approximately 1.5 times heavier than air).
CO2 does not support combustion or
maintain animal life.
 Characteristics of Medical
Gases
4. Helium
Helium (He) is second only to hydrogen as the
lightest of all gases; it has a density at STPD of
0.1785 g/L. He is odorless, tasteless,
nonflammable, and chemically and physiologically
inert.
Heliox (a gas mixture of O2 and He) may be used
clinically to manage severe cases of airway
obstruction. Its low density decreases the work of
breathing by making gas flow more laminar.
 Characteristics of Medical
Gases
5. Nitric oxide
Nitric oxide (NO) is a colorless,
nonflammable, toxic gas that supports
combustion. It is produced by oxidation of
ammonia at high temperatures in the
presence of a catalyst. In combination with
air, NO forms brown fumes of nitrogen
dioxide (NO2).
 Characteristics of Medical
Gases
6. Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a colorless gas with a
slightly sweet odor and taste that is used
clinically as an anesthetic agent. Similar to
O2, N2O can support combustion. However,
N2O cannot support life and causes death if
inhaled in pure form. For this reason,
inhaled N2O must always be mixed with at
least 20% O2.
STORAGE OF MEDICAL
GASES
 Gas Cylinders
The containers used to store and ship compressed
or liquid medical gases are high-pressure
cylinders.
Gas cylinders are made of seamless steel
DOT type 3A cylinders are made from carbon
steel, and DOT type 3AA containers are
manufactured with a steel alloy tempered for
higher strength
 Cylinder Safety Relief Valves
1. Frangible metal disk ruptures at a specific
pressure.
2. Fusible plug melts at a specific
temperature.
3. Spring-loaded valve opens and vents gas
at a set high pressure.
Estimating Duration of Cylinder
Gas Flow

Tank Size Tank Factor

D 0.16
E 0.28
M 1.36
G 2.41
H/K 3.14
The RT needs to determine how long a G
cylinder of O2 with a gauge pressure of 800
psi set to deliver 8 L/min will last until empty.
SOLUTION
Step 1: Determine the cylinder factor for an
O2 G cylinder
Step 2: Apply the duration of flow equation:
The RT needs to transport a patient from
Baguio to Manila. Determine if a D cylinder
of O2 with a gauge pressure of 800 psi set
to deliver 2 L/min will last until reaching the
destination.
The RT needs to determine how long a K
cylinder of O2 with a gauge pressure of
2200 psi set to deliver 3 L/min will last until
empty.
RT Albert needs to estimate how long his
patient’s O2 cylinder H will last with gauge
pressure of 2015psi that supplies an O2
delivery device running at 5 L/min.
GAS CYLINDER SAFETY
Gas Cylinder Safety