Definition/Introduction
A gas cylinder is a containment apparatus that will store a gaseous compound under pressure for use in medical settings. The physical form of the stored compound can be gas and/or liquid, with the ultimate output from the apparatus being gaseous. Gas Disposable Cylinders allow for portable and safe storage of compounds needed in a medical setting. The sizing of gas cylinders has been attributed to a nationally recognized letter, with the more commonly used medical sizes listed below. Gas cylinders are labeled from A to M, with increasing volume as the letters of the alphabet proceeds. E sized cylinders are the most commonly used size in medical settings. E cylinders have a service pressure of 1900 psi, but may be filled up to 10% more to 2200 psi. Higher filling pressure allows for expansion at temperatures greater than 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pressure Release Device
While attached to an anesthesia machine, the cylinder valves should be in the off position while not in use. This is to prevent leakage and so that the provider will be notified via an alarm of failure of the pipeline supply of gas. If the cylinder were to be left open and a pipeline gas supply failure occurred, the anesthesia machine would consume the oxygen in the cylinder, and the provider would not be notified until the cylinder was depleted.
