摘要 |
The proximal end of a nasal oxygen catheter is modified so that it releasably engages a facemask coupler that is in fluid communication with an anesthesia machine. A facemask is also releasably engaged to the facemask coupler. The distal end of the catheter includes nasal prongs and oxygen only from the anesthesia machine is dispensed to the patient through the prongs when the proximal end of the catheter is engaged with the facemask coupler. Upon disengagement of the proximal end of the catheter from the coupler, the facemask may be applied to the nose and mouth of a patient without reconfiguring the anesthesia machine. The anesthesia or oxygen-dispensing capabilities of the anesthesia machine are not disabled by any configuration of parts so that the machine may be reconfigured from an oxygen-only mode to an oxygen-and-anesthesia mode in only a second or two.
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