VI. Equipment
The installation of N2O-O2 equipment
requires the services of an expert. It should not be attempted
by a plumber unfamiliar with medical gas systems or anyone not
trained in the installation of anesthetic gases and equipment.
It should never be done as a "do it yourself project"
by or for the dentist. We are dealing with gases under considerable
compression (2100 lbs PSI) and items or material such as oil that
will flash and burn at a surprisingly low temperature when in
the presence of 100% oxygen.
Never trust the installation of N2O-O2 conscious
sedation equipment to anyone other than a reputable dental supply
dealer experienced in the installation of N2O
machines or one who regularly installs anesthetic machines.
There are several companies manufacturing good N2O
equipment today. When purchasing equipment, be certain that you
are purchasing from a dealer capable of servicing the equipment
after it is installed, and one that will respond appropriately.
TYPES OF NITROUS OXIDE MACHINES
There are several minor differences in N2O-O2 conscious
sedation machines manufactured today. All are similar in that they provide a
method of controlling the rate of flow of both the N2O and O2
gases, mixing them together, flowing them into a reservoir bag and from there
to a nasal "hood", mask, or full face mask. A decade ago, all nasal
masks or hoods exhausted exhaled air and waste nitrous oxide into the room through
a "pop-off" valve.
Nasal Masks
Realizing the potential hazards to chronic N2O exposure
in the operatory, scavenging systems were designed into the nasal
mask.
Nitrous oxide machines in general can be classified as being
portable, if they are on wheels and can go from room to room,
or fixed and often installed into dental cabinets. Portable machines,
either have the small N2O and O2 tanks attached
to the machine itself, or have tubing designed to plug into wall
outlets in the various rooms or operatories where N2O
is to be used (semi-portable). Whether it is self-contained and
portable or permanently fixed, all nitrous oxide machines have
flow meters showing the rate of flow of the gas measured in liters per minute. It is also necessary to have pressure
gauges which show the amount of pressure in the cylinders. There
must be a method of reducing ...............
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Nasal Masks