Capnography Devices

Some respiratory ailments require the monitoring not only of oxygen saturation, but also the flip side, how much Carbon Dioxide is being expired by the patient. This requires the services of a capnometer or capnography device. These devices display the End Tidal Carbon Dioxide (ETCO2) and respiratory rate of the patient. They are often hooked up in conjunction to ventilators and interact with a number of other monitors, including the pulse oximeters. They are used during transport, in critical care and emergency wards, in operating and recovery rooms, and in long-term ventilation situations.

The Respironics Lifecare Capnometer Model 36001 monitors and displays ETCO2 in mmHg, kPa or %, and respiratory rate in BPM (breaths per minute). It can also compensate for the effects of nitrous oxide, which interferes with accurate CO2 readings, by enabling the nitrous oxide compensation feature. An LCD bar graph and numeric readout give CO2 and respiration rate, with ETCO2 displayed as a 3-digit number from 0-100 mmHg. An amber LED displays " N2O Compensation" when that feature is enabled. The 36001 operates on a rechargeable 9.6- volt Nickel-Cadmium battery pack, and will provide approximately four hours of continuous use on a fully-charged battery. Recharge time is four hours. Battery charging light on display is activated when the AC charger is attached to an AC outlet; light is yellow when battery is charging, and green when the battery is fully charged. Displays "BATT" when battery is low (less than 9.2 volts), and unit turns itself off when battery drops below 8.2 volts.

The unit stores trend data for up to 99 different patients and 24 hours of operating time. The data can only be viewed by connecting the unit to a compatible printer through the serial RS-232C connector. The patient is connected to the unit using a nasal cannula, mask, or to the ventilator using a ventilator airway adapter. Capnometer patient attachments, filter discs, cannulas, airway adapters (adult or pediatric) and tubing sample lines are disposable, single-patient use items, and a new set should be used for each new patient. A separate product order must be placed for these items.

The 36001 must be calibrated monthly using the Lifecare calibration kit (part # RP36027).