Question

Please explain the device listed below in detail and how it operates.

1. Capnography Equipment

Answer 1

Capnography is the monitoring of the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the respiratory gases. Its main development has been as a monitoring tool for use during anesthesia and intensive care. It is usually presented as a graph of expiratory CO2 (measured in millimeters of mercury, "mmHg") plotted against time, or, less commonly, but more usefully, expired volume. The plot may also show the inspired CO2
which is of interest when rebreathing systems are being used. When the measurement is taken at the end of a breath (exhaling), it is called "end tidal" CO2 (ETCO₂).

The capnogram is a direct monitor of the inhaled and exhaled concentration or partial pressure of CO2 and an indirect monitor of the CO2 partial pressure in the arterial blood. In healthy individuals, the difference between arterial blood and expired gas CO2 partial pressures is very small. In the presence of most forms of lung disease, and some forms of congenital heart disease (the cyanotic lesions) the difference between arterial blood and expired gas increases and can exceed 1 kPa.

how to operate

After all connections are made, switch on the Capnograph. The power switch is located on the back panel.The ini- tialization of the unit takes a few seconds until the main Window is shown on the display. The window displayed de- pends on the configuration of the system.

If the TP/AF sensor is connected, the right side of the dis- play will show the evaluated parameters, such as:
- Maximum Inspiratory Flow - Maximum Expiratory Flow - Tidal Volume
- Respiratory Rate
- Endexpiratory CO2
- Maximum Tracheal Pressure
On the left side, the display will show the trend of the pa- rameters graphically. The time scale default for the graph is 30 minutes for the first time the machine is used.

If the animal is connected to the cannula, measurement starts immediately