Medical gas cylinders are an essential component of healthcare facilities, providing a safe and reliable gas source that supports patient care. They come in different sizes, shapes, and colors and are used for various purposes, including respiratory therapy, anesthesia, surgery, and other critical care procedures.
Medical cylinders store and transport gases such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, and medical air. These cylinders are designed to withstand high pressure and are made of durable materials such as steel or aluminum.
They are an essential component of healthcare facilities, providing a reliable and safe gas source in many procedures. These gases support patient care, from respiratory therapy to anesthesia, surgery, and critical care.
What are the Different Types of Medical Gas Cylinders?
Oxygen Cylinders
Oxygen cylinders are the most commonly used medical gas cylinders in healthcare facilities. They are used to provide supplemental oxygen to patients who are experiencing respiratory distress or who require oxygen therapy.
Nitrous Oxide Cylinders
Nitrous oxide cylinders are used for anesthesia and analgesia during surgical and dental procedures. Nitrous oxide is also a pain relief medication in labor and delivery.
Carbon Dioxide Cylinders
Carbon dioxide cylinders are used in surgical procedures to inflate the abdominal cavity to provide a clear view of the surgical site.
Nitrogen Cylinders
Nitrogen cylinders are used in cryosurgery, where low-temperature nitrogen is used to freeze and destroy abnormal tissues.
Helium Cylinders
Helium cylinders are used in respiratory therapy to treat asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Medical Air Cylinders
Medical air cylinders contain compressed air for respiratory therapy, anesthesia, and critical care.
Components of Medical Cylinders
- Cylinder Body: The cylinder body is the main component of the medical gas cylinder, and it is made of high-strength steel or aluminum. The body of the cylinder is designed to withstand high pressure.
- Valve Assembly: The valve assembly is located on top of the cylinder body and controls the gas flow from the cylinder. The valve assembly includes a pressure relief valve designed to release gas if the pressure inside the cylinder exceeds a safe level.
- Pressure Regulator: The pressure regulator is used to reduce the high pressure of the gas in the cylinder to a lower pressure that is safe for patient use. The pressure regulator is typically connected to the valve assembly and the flow meter.
- Flow Meter: The flow meter measures the gas flow from the cylinder to the patient. It is typically connected to the pressure regulator and the patient delivery device.
What Size are Medical Gas Cylinders?
Medical gas cylinders come in different sizes, and the size of the cylinder depends on the type of gas it contains and its intended use. Oxygen cylinders, for example, can range in size from small portable cylinders holding a few liters of oxygen to large cylinders holding several thousand liters of oxygen. The most common sizes of medical cylinders used in healthcare facilities are the E, D, and M.
The E cylinder is the smallest and can hold up to 660 liters of oxygen. It is typically used for transport and emergencies. The D cylinder is slightly larger and can hold up to 1700 liters of oxygen. It is commonly used in ambulances and for portable oxygen therapy. The M cylinder is the largest size and can hold up to 3450 liters of oxygen. It is used for stationary oxygen therapy and in large healthcare facilities.
Other gas cylinders, such as nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide cylinders, also come in different sizes depending on their intended use.
What Pressure are Medical Gas Cylinders?
Medical cylinders are designed to withstand high pressure, which is necessary to store and transport gases in a compressed state. The pressure inside a medical gas cylinder depends on the type of gas it contains and the temperature of the gas.
Oxygen cylinders, for example, typically have a pressure of 2000 psi (pounds per square inch) at room temperature. Nitrous oxide cylinders have a pressure of around 750 psi, while carbon dioxide cylinders have a pressure of around 800 psi.
The pressure inside a medical gas cylinder is regulated using a pressure regulator, which reduces the high pressure of the gas to a lower pressure that is safe for patient use. The pressure regulator is typically connected to the valve assembly on top of the cylinder, which controls the gas flow from the cylinder to the patient.
Handling the cylinders carefully and following proper storage and handling guidelines to ensure the pressure inside the cylinder does not exceed safe levels. The valve cap should be kept on the cylinder when not in use, and the cylinder should be stored in a well-ventilated area free from heat sources and flammable materials. Regular inspections and maintenance of medical cylinders are also important to ensure they are safe for patient use.
Takeaway
Medical gas cylinders are essential to healthcare facilities, providing a safe and reliable gas source that supports patient care. Several cylinders include oxygen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, and medical air. Medical cylinders are color-coded to identify the type of gas they contain, and they are marked with specific information to identify the cylinder and its contents. These cylinders should be handled, stored, and transported carefully to prevent damage or compromise.
The global medical oxygen concentrators & oxygen cylinders market size is expected to reach USD 4.62 billion by 2028 according to a new study by Polaris Market Research.
The report “Medical Oxygen Concentrators & Oxygen Cylinders Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Product (Portable Concentrator, Stationary Concentrator, Cylinders); By Technology (Continuous Flow, Pulse Flow); By End-users (Homecare, Non-homecare); By Regions; Segment Forecast, 2021 – 2028” gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth.
Medical concentrators and cylinders are medical oxygen systems that are used to treat respiratory ailments and are commonly preferred by older patients who have limited mobility and rely on a consistent market supply.
A few common chronic health conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, necessitate oxygen therapy or supplementary oxygen.
India is facing a huge supply crisis as a result of the flaming COVID-19 pandemic, and in April 2021, the central government has agreed to import concentrators and cylinders from the United States and has placed an order for ten thousand concentrators, which is expected to start import within a week.
Request a sample this report by clicking the link below: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/medical-oxygen-concentrators-market/request-for-sample The need for these concentrators and cylinders has also increased in the market in recent years due to the increased prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory illnesses.
