[PhysioFlex: a target-controlled self-regulating closed-circuit inhalation anesthesia regulator]. / Le PhysioFlex: ventilateur de circuit fermé autorégulé d'anesthésie par inhalation à objectif de concentration.

Physi Flex is the first commercially available apparatus capable for quantitative, or self-regulating target controlled inhalational anaesthesia, with a totally closed circuit, in adults and children. The fresh gas supply to the circuit is intermittent, automatically regulated by continuous monitoring of the volume and composition of the gas mixture in the breathing circuit. The circle system includes, instead of the two conventional one way valves, a blower creating a continuous unidirectional flow at 70 L.min-1. In addition to the CO2-absorber it contains an absorber with carbon, absorbing the anaesthetic vapour when switched into the circuit. The ventilator consists of four ventilating chambers, each one with a membrane separating the patient and the motor compartments. The displacement of the membranes generates and measures the tidal volume. Automatic ventilation is achieved by electric valves and motor gas, and manual ventilation using a bag. Spontaneous ventilation is also possible. The machine is operated via a computer with selects the number of ventilating chambers (one, two or four), and the tidal volume between 50 and 2,000 mL, depending on age, gender and weight of the patient. The computer maintains the gas volume and the gas and vapour concentrations at their preset values. The O2-flow and consumption, the N2O flow and uptake, FICO2 and FETCO2, FI and FET of the volatile anaesthetic, all other important data are displayed in a numerical and graphical form on a color screen and registered for a delayed analysis. The end tidal concentration of the volatile anaesthetic drives a stepmotor with a syringe containing the selected volatile anaesthetic agent with is directly injected into the breathing circuit where it is vaporized. Therefore the concentration of the anaesthetic vapour can be instantaneously increased with this injector at induction and lowered at end of anaesthesia with the carbon absorber, and the fresh gas consumption is significantly decreased.

On-line oxygen uptake measurement (VO2): a computer feed-back controlled rebreathing circuit for long term oxygen uptake registration.

A totally closed feed back controlled anesthesia- and ventilation circuit has been developed feasible to be applied for artificial ventilation with tidal volumes as low as 5 ml at a rate of up to 60/min and for spontaneous ventilation with on-line measurement of physiological lung parameters (pressure, volume, flow). Oxygen inflow is regulated via actual-set value comparison, oxygen inflow is measured and recorded on-line (= oxygen uptake by the connected subject). On-line oxygen uptake (consumption) measurement furnishes a valuable, so far not available parameter to monitor changes in the oxygen transport chain to the tissue and to register physiological oxygen consumption values and derangement of metabolism. First results show that total body oxygen consumption of man in rest is lower than so far expected in the high weight and body surface area groups and that oxygen consumption is decreasing with length and age. Metabolic derangements such as in developing hyperthermia crisis are noticed in a very early stage when therapy is still possible before severe damage has occurred.

[A computer-controlled closed circle system for ventilation during anesthesia and intensive care and its possibilities for patient monitoring]. / Computer-kontrolliertes geschlossenes Kreissystem zur Narkose- und Intensivbeatmung und seine Möglichkeiten der Patientenüberwachung.

A computer feed back controlled anaesthesia- and intensive care ventilator has been developed with on-line and separate lung function measurement. The system design is built on the principle of a totally closed circuit (closed rebreathing respirometer) and an inspiratory "high flow", the gas being rotated through the closed circuit unidirectionally by a blower with 70 l/min. Ventilation is performed by metal membranes freely movable in membrane chambers with an internal part included into the closed circuit and an external part connected to pressurized air controlling inspiratory valves expiratory valves. The electronic valves are software controlled by the computer to exactly perform the desired preset ventilatory mode. Membrane movement are on-line measured capacitively and transformed into respective flow and volume values, whereby the compressibility of the system gas (on-line pressure recording) is taken into account. Volatile anaesthetic gases are feed back controlled to preset end expiratory values (MAC-controlled anaesthesia), circuit volume is maintained by N20-addition and oxygen is added to maintain the desired present inspiratory concentration measured with paramagnetic oxygen sensors. Ergonometric aspects led to the triangular from of the new anaesthesia and intensive care ventilator with the controlling service screen turnable to all three sides of the ventilator (high flexibility of the user) and all necessary equipment and material included into the "Anaesthesia workstation". All measured and present parameters are continuously displayed on the service (computer) screen and entered into the computer-memory in minute cycles with a memory capacity of 75 h anaesthesia. At any desired moment the memorized values can be transferred to IBM-compatible disc systems for storage or into the respective data management systems, thus at the end of anaesthesia, at the end of the working day or at the end of the week.