When does the pneumatic Draeger system shut off N2O flow?

The pneumatic Draeger system is designed with safety mechanisms to ensure that nitrous oxide (N2O) is delivered safely in conjunction with oxygen. The system automatically shuts off N2O flow when the oxygen flow is less than 200 mL/min. This is a critical safety feature because it prevents the administration of N2O in inadequate oxygen supply situations, which could lead to hypoxia in a patient.

Maintaining an adequate level of oxygen is essential in any anesthetic process, and the cutoff at 200 mL/min serves as a protective measure. If the oxygen flow drops below this threshold, the system will automatically discontinue the flow of N2O to ensure that patients are not exposed to the risks associated with using nitrous oxide in an oxygen-deficient environment.

Understanding this feature emphasizes the importance of monitoring oxygen flow in clinical settings, as it relies on the coordinated interaction between oxygen and nitrous oxide for safe anesthetic delivery.