Oxygen Breathing Equipment

devices used to administer oxygen therapy.

The simplest piece of oxygen equipment is the oxygen cushion, a 12–16 liter (l) rubberized sac filled with oxygen and equipped with a rubber tube with a stopcock and nozzle. Nasal catheters or plastic tubes are attached to two of the ends of a T-pipe; the third end is joined to the oxygen source. The catheters are introduced along the inferior nasal passage, and the oxygen is fed through a humidifier at the rate of 2–3 l per min.

The respiratory mask consists of a metallic or plastic capsule contoured to cover the mouth and nose when applied to the face. The mask has inhalation and exhalation valves that permit regulation of the rate at which the oxygen is fed.

Catheters or masks are an indispensable part of the oxygen inhaler, which consists of a metal cylinder (or several interconnected cylinders), containing oxygen at 150 atmospheres pressure, and a reducer equipped with two manometers. Portable oxygen inhalers hold between 0.7 and 1.5 l. Large-capacity oxygen tanks are used with inhalers designed for mountain rescue stations, fire engines, and permanent inpatient hospital equipment.

The oxygen tent consists of a tent of gas-tight material suspended on a special stand over the head of the bed. The tent is equipped with plexiglas windows. The tent stand, the oxygen tanks, and the reducer are placed on a metal platform. Oxygen enters the tent at the rate of 6–8 l per min. The air mixture in the tent is continuously pumped through a regenerator, which contains an absorbent of carbon dioxide and a reservoir with ice for cooling the air and removing excess moisture. The oxygen concentration in the tent is kept at 60–80 percent. The temperature and humidity are kept within the comfort zone.