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THE CARDIFF PLUG-IN VAPORIZER
Brit. J. Anaesth. (1971), 43, 1183
THE CARDIFF PLUG-IN VAPORIZER BY P. W.
THOMPSON
use of ether, to say nothing of a vaporizer for agents which may be developed in the future. Finally, even if it were mechanically possible, the problem of cost has also to be considered. It will be clearly appreciated that, with the configurations presently available, the problem is virtually insuperable.
FIG.
2
For these reasons we considered the possibility of producing a plug-in version of the Tritec, Fluotec, and Pentec vaporizers (fig. 1). Having roughed out a provisional suggestion as to how this could be achieved, we consulted the British Oxygen Company Limited and Cyprane Limited for help and advice in the mechanical development. It was not long before prototypes had been produced and shown to us; after one or two modifications to the basic trolley (mainly to strengthen the back bar to withstand the extra weight of the latest models of vaporizers) they were put into production. PETER FIG.
1
W.
THOMPSON, F.F.A.R.C.S., Department
Anaesthetics, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
of
Downloaded from http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Western Ontario on April 11, 2015
Modern programmes of equipment maintenance and sterilization call for a very considerable increase in the amount of apparatus ordered for a given number of operating theatres in a new hospital such as the University Hospital of Wales. There is, moreover, an increasing desire on the part of anaesthetists to have a wide choice of volatile anaesthetic agents, each to be administered, if possible, from a calibrated vaporizer. Problems of space on the back mounting bar of a standard Boyle-type apparatus preclude the insertion of separate calibrated vaporizers for trichloroethylene, halothane, and methoxyflurane, together with a standard vaporizer unit for the
1184
BRITISH JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA
3
There is nothing particularly revolutionary about this idea and its very simplicity is one of its main virtues. An adaptor is fitted at the back top of the vaporizer in place of the normal lateral inlet and outlet ports (fig. 2). These are accurately machined to fit over the two male endings which project from the main delivery tube (fig. 3) and are fitted with O-seals. If no vaporizer is to be used, a simple bypass fitment
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my thanks to Professor W. W. Mushin, C.B.E., for all his help and advice; to Mr E. K. Hillard, British Oxygen Company Limited, and Cyprane Limited, for help and advice at all stages of development; and to Mr R. J. Marshall for the photographs.
EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY AND CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY The Congress will be held on September 1-7, 1973, at Marseille, France. All official and scientific activities will be located at the Faculte de Medecine of the Universite d'Aix-Marseille. Ample hotel facilities will be available nearby. The Congress will occupy 7 days or 14 half-days. These will be divided approximately as follows: 1 half-day for registration and the opening session; 1 half-day for the Congress Common Session; 2 half-days for Symposia for both EEG and EMG; 1 half-day for the Council Meeting and the General Assembly; 1 half-day free; 8 halfdays for Free Communications. Simultaneous translation will be provided in French and English for at least a portion of the scientific and didactic programmes. Further information can be obtained from the Secretary General of the Congress, Mrae le Dr G. C. Lairy, Laboratoire d'EEG, Hopital Henri Rousselle, 1 rue Cabanis, Paris 14°, France.
Downloaded from http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Western Ontario on April 11, 2015
FIG.
is provided to interconnect these male ends. In addition, a standard Boyle-type vaporizer is permanently fitted; although of the standard ether pattern, it is unlabelled so that it can be used, if necessary, for other agents. The Fluotec and Pentec vaporizers are provided with the latest non-interchangeable filling device. Since this projects slightly below the main base level of the vaporizer, the base itself has been modified by the addition of a ring some 1 inch deep, which allows the vaporizer to stand, when not in use, on a flat surface without any wobbling. For a given capital outlay, therefore, it is now possible, to provide a far more comprehensive choice of vaporizers for different agents.
THE CARDIFF PLUG-IN VAPORIZER BY P. W.
THOMPSON
use of ether, to say nothing of a vaporizer for agents which may be developed in the future. Finally, even if it were mechanically possible, the problem of cost has also to be considered. It will be clearly appreciated that, with the configurations presently available, the problem is virtually insuperable.
FIG.
2
For these reasons we considered the possibility of producing a plug-in version of the Tritec, Fluotec, and Pentec vaporizers (fig. 1). Having roughed out a provisional suggestion as to how this could be achieved, we consulted the British Oxygen Company Limited and Cyprane Limited for help and advice in the mechanical development. It was not long before prototypes had been produced and shown to us; after one or two modifications to the basic trolley (mainly to strengthen the back bar to withstand the extra weight of the latest models of vaporizers) they were put into production. PETER FIG.
1
W.
THOMPSON, F.F.A.R.C.S., Department
Anaesthetics, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
of
Downloaded from http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Western Ontario on April 11, 2015
Modern programmes of equipment maintenance and sterilization call for a very considerable increase in the amount of apparatus ordered for a given number of operating theatres in a new hospital such as the University Hospital of Wales. There is, moreover, an increasing desire on the part of anaesthetists to have a wide choice of volatile anaesthetic agents, each to be administered, if possible, from a calibrated vaporizer. Problems of space on the back mounting bar of a standard Boyle-type apparatus preclude the insertion of separate calibrated vaporizers for trichloroethylene, halothane, and methoxyflurane, together with a standard vaporizer unit for the
1184
BRITISH JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA
3
There is nothing particularly revolutionary about this idea and its very simplicity is one of its main virtues. An adaptor is fitted at the back top of the vaporizer in place of the normal lateral inlet and outlet ports (fig. 2). These are accurately machined to fit over the two male endings which project from the main delivery tube (fig. 3) and are fitted with O-seals. If no vaporizer is to be used, a simple bypass fitment
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my thanks to Professor W. W. Mushin, C.B.E., for all his help and advice; to Mr E. K. Hillard, British Oxygen Company Limited, and Cyprane Limited, for help and advice at all stages of development; and to Mr R. J. Marshall for the photographs.
EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY AND CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY The Congress will be held on September 1-7, 1973, at Marseille, France. All official and scientific activities will be located at the Faculte de Medecine of the Universite d'Aix-Marseille. Ample hotel facilities will be available nearby. The Congress will occupy 7 days or 14 half-days. These will be divided approximately as follows: 1 half-day for registration and the opening session; 1 half-day for the Congress Common Session; 2 half-days for Symposia for both EEG and EMG; 1 half-day for the Council Meeting and the General Assembly; 1 half-day free; 8 halfdays for Free Communications. Simultaneous translation will be provided in French and English for at least a portion of the scientific and didactic programmes. Further information can be obtained from the Secretary General of the Congress, Mrae le Dr G. C. Lairy, Laboratoire d'EEG, Hopital Henri Rousselle, 1 rue Cabanis, Paris 14°, France.
Downloaded from http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Western Ontario on April 11, 2015
FIG.
is provided to interconnect these male ends. In addition, a standard Boyle-type vaporizer is permanently fitted; although of the standard ether pattern, it is unlabelled so that it can be used, if necessary, for other agents. The Fluotec and Pentec vaporizers are provided with the latest non-interchangeable filling device. Since this projects slightly below the main base level of the vaporizer, the base itself has been modified by the addition of a ring some 1 inch deep, which allows the vaporizer to stand, when not in use, on a flat surface without any wobbling. For a given capital outlay, therefore, it is now possible, to provide a far more comprehensive choice of vaporizers for different agents.