NORTH AMERICAN DRÄGER Drager Fabius GS Anesthesia User manual

RETURN TO PRODUCT BULLETIN TABLE OF CONTENTS

RETURN TO CD-ROM TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRODUCT BULLETIN

Product(s):
Bulletin Number:
Release Date:
Pages:

Fabius GS
148
April 1, 2003
2

Subject: “Ventilator Hose-Moisture Reduction Kit” for Fabius GS (Part

#4118299)

The Fabius GS offers a unique combination of traditional mechanical components found in the
Narkomed GS (e.g. needle valves, SORC) and innovative features first introduced in the Narkomed
6400 (e.g. electrically driven ventilator, fresh gas decoupled compact breathing system).

By providing our customers with a leak-tight, compact, and fresh gas decoupled breathing system,
as well as accurate electronic measurements of fresh gas flows, we are enabling physicians to
reduce total fresh gas flows. Several accounts are substantially reducing their fresh gas flows when
using the Fabius GS, and have been receptive to the concepts of low (x < 1.0 liter/min.) and even
minimal (x < 0.5 liter/min.) flow anesthesia.

Draeger Medical promotes and encourages the use of low/minimal fresh gas flows, and is very
happy that our technology allows physicians to substantially reduce the consumption of anesthetic
agents.

We do, however, want to remind our customers that the usage of lower fresh gas flows increases the
degree of rebreathing (= recycling of exhaled gas). An increase in the volume of recycled gas results
in a larger accumulation of moisture in the breathing system. Moisture is a very natural
consequence of low/minimal flow anesthesia and is produced by two independent mechanisms:

è The reaction of CO2 with the CO2 absorbent material produces heat and moisture. As the
total fresh gas flow is reduced, more of the exhaled gas passes through the absorber resulting in an
increase in the production of moisture.

è Exhaled gases are saturated with moisture from the patient. As the total fresh gas flow is
reduced, more of the exhaled gas is retained within the breathing system for rebreathing
(= recycling). As a result, the amount of moisture in the breathing system rises.

The precipitation of this moisture out of the exhaled gas occurs as the temperature of the gas falls.
This fall in temperature will be most significant at the coolest parts of the gas circuit. In the case of
the Fabius GS, these are the patient breathing hoses and the ventilator drive hose. To allow for easy
identification of moisture in the ventilator hose, we changed this hose to a clear Silicone material
several months ago.

RETURN TO PRODUCT BULLETIN TABLE OF CONTENTS

RETURN TO CD-ROM TABLE OF CONTENTS

Bulletin Number: 148 Page 2 of 2

In response to several reports that moisture buildup in the Fabius GS ventilator hose has triggered
“Fresh Gas Low” alarms, we are introducing a water trap as an optional accessory. The water trap
as well as two shorter ventilator hoses are combined in a “Ventilator Hose - Moisture Reduction
Kit”. The kit is available under part #4118299 and carries a list price of $150.00.

As indicated in the pictures below, the Moisture Reduction Kit replaces the ventilator hose with 2
shorter hoses and a water trap in between. To ensure optimal effectiveness of the water trap, it
should be located at the lowest point of the ventilator hoses. To optimally position the water trap,
the Compact Breathing System should be positioned slightly higher than the table top.

The water trap should be monitored and drained on a regular basis. A self-sealing valve ensures that
water can be drained even during a procedure without creating a leak. The need to drain the water
trap will vary substantially between ORs, depending on several variables such as the fresh gas flows
used, the status/type of CO2 absorbent, the OR temperature, and the type of patient.

Please do not hesitate to contact Jens Boy at ext. 2271 directly if you have additional questions.

Draeger Medical, Inc.
3135 Quarry Road
Telford, PA 18969
Tel: [phone]
[phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.draegermedical.com