title: Ether in an isoflurane vaporizer and the use of vapour analysers in safe anaesthesia.
abstract: A Penlon Sigma isoflurane vaporizer was found to contain some diethyl ether. This had escaped from a ruptured temperature compensation device within the vaporizer. The Datex AS/3 vapour analyser detected the foreign agent and displayed a warning. Different types of vaporizer compensation devices are highlighted and the use of vapour analysers is discussed. We conclude that these analysers are invaluable for indicating that the patient is receiving the correct concentration of an inhalation agent but are of little use in the detection of all but a few possible contaminants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Strachan
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Richmond
mesh_terms: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000032:analysis*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004869:Equipment Safety; D004986:Ether / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D004986:Ether; D007530:Isoflurane