Apparatus and methods to titrate O2 content delivered to open delivery systems and mitigate fire risk

摘要

An apparatus and method for titrating the oxygen content delivered to a patient via an open delivery system and reduce fire risk. The apparatus may include a nasal cannula or face mask and an anesthesia machine having an air flowmeter. The cannula may be in fluid connection with one or more gas outlets on the anesthesia machine. The cannula may provide a user-adjustable reduced O₂ content gas flow to the patient. By providing an O₂ gas mixture having a lower concentration of O₂, the present invention significantly mitigates the risk of surgical fires. The apparatus may also include an anesthesia machine having an electronic flowmeter, either alone or in conjunction with the cannula, for maintaining oxygen saturation at a selected level. The apparatus may also include an anesthesia machine having an additional operating mode for use with an open delivery system.