When someone says flow control valve, most of us may think about the large production units. Because many people don’t know that these solenoid proportional valves are used in a lot of places because of their accuracy and reliability. They are also used In medical devices like ventilators and anaesthesia machines. This machine works to provide the precise amount of the gas mixture at a controlled and set value of pressure.
There are two ways to deliver anaesthesia:
Intermittent: An entonox apparatus is used to deliver the gas and the flow is delivered during inspiration.
Continuous: The flow is delivered with Boyle’s machine and it’s delivered during the inspiration and expiration.
Here we have listed some uses of flow valves in Anaesthesia Machines:
Providing Oxygen:
Through a solenoid proportional valve, the precise amount of oxygen with the required pressure is passed by the vaporizer and delivered to the outlet and the breathing circuit. If a high flow rate will be provided then the excess amount of oxygen will go to the breathing circuit. It can cause problems for the patients. It is determined by various estimations that the flow rate between 30 and 50 L/min can instantly fill the respiratory. For the precise treatment of the patient, a valve is used to connect the patient with the breathing and this valve does not let the pressure go up than the set value.
Accurately Mix Anaesthetic Gases:
In an anaesthesia machine, a mixture of gases is prepared so that it can be delivered to a breathing circuit. A solenoid proportional valve is used to deliver the precise amount of each gas to form the right mixture. The delivery of the right composition of gases is necessary. If it will not right, then the formed mixture can cause complexities to the patients and can be very harmful to the patients. That’s why, modern anaesthesia machines are equipped with the efficient pneumatic tools and contain an array of electrical, and mechanical components.
Reduce the Excessces Amount of Anaesthesia Gases:
A pop-up valve is used as the vital component of the anaesthesia machine and it helps to vent the excess amount of the anaesthesia gases from the system. With the help of this valve excess pressure is drained from the gas line. This solenoid valve with flow control also removes the anaesthesia gases from the circuit whenever only oxygen is required for the patient.
Deliver an Element of Safety:
A solenoid proportional valve is necessarily used to deliver the accurate concentration of the oxygen and this concentration is mixed with the other essential gases. Breathing tubes transport this mixture to the patient so that the patient can breathe easily. There are many safety features in modern anaesthesia machines. They alarm if the oxygen level drops below a certain level but still, there are air flow control valves that ensure the delivery of the precise amount.
Final Words:
The use of solenoid proportional valves in anaesthesia machines shows that these valves play a vital role in ensuring patient care during surgery. That’s why, they are compulsorily used in anaesthesia machines.
