We present a case of an anesthetic gas leak through the valve of the Selectatec back bar during a surgical procedure. The Selectatec Vaporizing System is a quick-change system consisting of anesthetic vaporizers of the 'Tec models' of the Ohmeda machine that are seated on a compatibility manifold block located on the back bar of the anesthetic machine. In order to prevent a leak and a failure of vapor delivery, the "Tec models series" can only be turned 'on' when the locking lever is turned to the 'lock' position. However in this case, the control knob was rotated despite the back bar locking mechanism not being engaged, and a gas leak developed through the unlocked valves in Selectatec back bar. The Penlon Sigma Delta Anesthetic Vaporizer (sevoflurane) in a Datex-Ohmeda Aestiva/5 anesthesia machine can be turned 'on' when the locking lever is maintained at the 'unlock' position.
Anesthesia ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers*

No abstract available.
Asthma ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers

Taxi drivers are exposed to vehicular exhaust aerosols which are a major source of atmospheric lead pollution in Korea where lead additives are incorporated in petrol. To investigate the blood lead concentration, their correlation factors and influences on taxi drivers, samples were collected from 90 taxi drivers who were living in the Taegu City, during August, 1989. Blood lead concentration was estimated by the atomic absoption spectrophotometer (IL.551) equipped with flameless furnace atomizer (IL.665). The results were analyzed statistically and compared with control group were 26.34 +/- 6.53 microgram/dl and 20.77 +/- 4.80 microgram/dl respectively (p<0.01). No significant correlation was observed between the blood lead concentration of taxi drivers and driver career (r=0.093). There were no difference of statistical significance in the blood lead concentration of smokers and nonsmokers.
Aerosols ; Daegu* ; Korea* ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers

One of the most popular types of vaporizer mounting sytems is Selectatec, as it possesses a simple detachment mechanism. Detachable units can loosen between the vaporizer and anesthetic machine, which can cause vapor leakage. A locking system was subsequently developed to prevent this issue; however, we report a case of an unexpected vapor leakage from a locked vaporizer.
Anesthesia ; Anesthetics ; Inhalation ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers

Equipment Design ; Humans ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers

No abstract available.
Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Spirometry

PURPOSE: We assessed the dynamic characteristics of 16 nebulizer/compressor combinations currently available in Korea. METHODS: The 16 nebulizer/compressor combinations(Pariboy Type 38/Long life, Pariboy Type N/ Long life, Pariboy Type N/Salter 8900, Pariboy Type N/LC, Devilbiss pulmoaid-LT/Hudson, Devilbiss pulmoaid/Hudson, Mesmed neb-300/Own, San-up 3040/Hudson, Midas(Basic)/Own, AirJolie 2/ Hudson, Thomas 1127/Salter 8900, Noel NE-2000/Salter 8900, Omron CX3/Hudson, Chang Woo CWN-100/Salter 8900, Voyage/Mefar, Chang Woo ASI-Pro/Medel jet pulse) were evaluated in terms of particle size and mass output. In addition, we determined the effects of nebulizer fill volume on mass output. RESULTS: Pariboy Type N/Long life has the highest respirable mass of 0.184 mg/min and Mesmed Neb-300/Own has the lowest 0.019 mg/min. Pariboy Type N/Long life has the highest mass output of 0.68 mg/min and the shortest mass median aerodynamic diameter(MMAD) of 3.76 m. All combinations other than Pariboy Type N/Long life produced a MMAD of over 5 m. MMAD over a 5 min nebulization ranged 3.76 to 9.83 m. There were no significant effects of fill volume on mass output. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that there is a wide variation in performance of nebulizer/compressor combinations. The characteristics of nebulizer/compressor combinations should be considered in selecting products.
Korea* ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Particle Size ; Respiratory Therapy

The Selectatec mounting system was devised to provide easy and quick on-site fitting of various vaporizers for the anesthetic machine. However, a quick changing system for the vaporizer can also damage the O-ring due to friction between the vaporizer and the Selectatec back bar. We herein report a case of an unexpected anesthetic gas leakage from a damaged O-ring on the Selectatec back bar, which resulted from exchanging the vaporizers between two operations. In cases using the Datex Ohmeda machine, it is not easy to detect leakages from the vaporizers because of the location of the check valve near to the fresh gas outlet. This complicates the use of the positive pressure leakage test to detect a low pressure system leakage on the Selectatec back bar. We recommend the preanesthetic negative pressure or low-flow leakage test to detect a low pressure leakage when exchanging vaporizers on the Selectatec system.
Friction ; Intraoperative Awareness ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Ventilators, Mechanical

Child ; Humans ; Laryngitis ; therapy ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers

Small airway disease (SAD) has been recognized for many years as a central feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Histopathology studies have shown that the narrowing and destruction of small airways in COPD combined with inflammatory cell infiltration in the submucosa increases the severity of the disease. SAD is present in the early stages of COPD and becomes more widespread over time as the disease progresses to more severe COPD. The development of inhalers containing extra-fine particles allows the small airways to be pharmacologically targeted. Recent clinical trials have shown the efficacy of extra-fine triple therapy that targets the small airways in patients with COPD. This article reviews the importance and treatment of SAD in COPD.
Humans ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Particle Size ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*