Types of Veterinary Waste Gas Scavenging Systems
In veterinary clinics, anesthetic gases are hazardous except when they are being administered to patients for the purpose of medical treatment. There is a system that is used to actively remove anesthetic gas mixtures from an operating theater, and it is called a gas scavenging system or the Anesthetic Gas Scavenging System (AGSS). This system will remove such hazardous waste gases from the room.
There are two ways of classifying these scavenging systems, either by their interfaces or by their suction methods.
Types of Veterinary Scavenging Systems:
Interfaces:
Scavenging systems are of two types when classified based on their interfaces.
1. Open
2. Closed
Open interfaces are more of the modern type of scavengers that are opened to the atmosphere, while the closed interface system allows the gases to interact with the atmosphere via a valve which is the older method used for scavenging.
Suction:
When classifying scavengers by their suction methods, they are of two types:
1. Active systems
The active systems apply suction completely within the system when scavenging, while the passive system processes waste gases passively via corrugated tubes through the ventilation exhaust fan out of the room.
2. Passive systems
The passive system requires that the patient is protected from only positive pressure buildup, unlike the active system, which requires that the patient's airways are protected from the suction application.
Over the years, there has been a significant improvement in the way anesthetic gases are being managed and controlled in the hospital and other health facilities. Different types of anesthesia scavenging systems exist based on their purpose and facility.
Read About: Veterinary Anesthesia Machine Service Guide
Veterinary Anesthesia Scavenging Systems:
The veterinary anesthesia scavenging system, for example, is designed to function for veterinary usage only. This means it cannot be used in a medical facility built for humans. Furthermore, they are designed to work with flammable anesthetics to capture anesthesia gases that are in excess within the anesthesia machine and then disperse them to a safe location outside the facility. There is also the portable waste anesthetics gas scavenging system. Just as the name suggests, it is designed for its portability and ease of use.
Using Carbon filters instead of a scavenging system:
Since World War 1, activated charcoal has been utilized as a means to adsorb toxic gases from the atmosphere. Activated charcoal can absorb a wide variety of gases and also prevent gastrointestinal absorption of toxins, and also expel such toxins.
While this has been a method used for a long time, charcoal being attached to an anesthesia unit, and has been proven to effectively absorb isoflurane and halothane, which aids in fast anesthetic recovery in a low flow system.
In some cases, the unavailability of a scavenging system would require the use of a carbon filter. Carbon filtering is a method of filtering that involves the use of a bed of activated carbon to trap or absorb the toxins. The pollutants are trapped within the pore structure of the carbon substrate. These filters have expiration dates,
Problems that can occur while using a scavenging system:
Recall that we stated earlier that scavenging systems could either be passive or active. These systems come with their challenges. Passive systems have a large tube or tank with an inlet, an outlet, and an open end. Anesthetic gas from the ventilator and "pop-up" valve enters the air inlet. There is suction at the outlet.
If the suction speed exceeds the entry speed of the anesthetic gas, the air in the room is drawn into the open end and you will have trouble getting the patient sedated.
If the anesthetic gas inlet exceeds the suction rate, the excess gas will exit the open end and get into the room.
For an active system, there are positive and negative release valves responsible for the release of the excess pressures. A malfunction in the valve will allow the pressure to increase in the circuit of the patient. High pressure being persistent in the patient can cause decreased cardiac output, which can lead to high intrathoracic pressure and pneumothorax. Too much suction or too little suction could result in serious complications.
Also Read: Veterinary Exam Table - The Advantages of a Power Table
Maintenance & Repair of Veterinary Scavenging Systems:
Medicanix understands the critical role played by anesthesia equipment in your veterinary practice and how it protects people and animals. Medicanix, a veterinary anesthesia repair company ensures that all your veterinary scavenging systems are leak-free, built to specification, and properly calibrated to the standard. Our Maintenance and repair team ensures that no loophole is left and no stone left unturned.
Our service covers the following:
Installation
Maintenance
Repair
Investigation
Certification