Medical Gases: An Introduction to Requirements and Applications
Medical gases play an essential role in healthcare. Whether in emergency medicine, surgeries, or long-term therapy – they are indispensable. Introduction: In this article, you will learn what medical gases are, the different types available, and the requirements they must meet. Additionally, we explain how you can purchase or produce medical gases and the role of medical air and medical gases in hospitals.
For more information on air quality, see our blog post on ISO 8573-1.
What Are Medical Gases?
Medical gases are specially produced gases used in medicine for diagnosis, therapy, and care. Some of the most well-known medical gases include oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide. These gases are widely used in hospitals and clinics. Medical air is often used for patient ventilation and is an indispensable part of medical care. In hospital settings, medical gases in hospitals are carefully managed to ensure patient safety and compliance with strict medical standards.
Types of Medical Gases
There are various types of medical gases that are used depending on the need. The most important include:
- Oxygen (O2): Widely used in respiratory therapy and emergency treatments. Often stored in an oxygen cylinder or medical oxygen cylinder for convenient transport and use.
- Nitrogen (N2): Used for sample preservation and in surgeries.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): Applied in minimally invasive surgeries.
- Nitrous oxide (N2O): Used as an anaesthetic and pain relief agent.
Each of these gases has specific requirements and applications, particularly in sensitive areas such as operating theatres and intensive care units. Medical air also plays a crucial role, especially for ventilating patients in various medical applications.
Medical Gas Colour Codes
To ensure safety, medical gases are identified by specific colour codes, which vary slightly between countries but are largely standardised internationally. For instance, oxygen is typically represented by a white or green cylinder, while nitrous oxide is blue. Hospitals typically store these gases in a hospital oxygen cylinder for quick and easy access during patient care. It's essential to check the colour codes for medical gases in your region, as slight variations may exist depending on the country.
Requirements for Medical Gases
Medical gases must adhere to strict regulations to ensure patient safety. These requirements are set out in various international standards, such as the ISO 8573 and the European Medical Device Directive. Medical air must meet specific purity levels, especially in hospitals where the highest compressed air classes under ISO 8573 must be maintained to guarantee air purity and safety. Generally, oil-free air is used to prevent contamination from particles or oils, and this air can be further filtered and optimised.
ISO 13485 Certification for Quality and Safety in Medical Oxygen Production
The ISO 13485 certification is a critical standard for quality management in the medical device industry, ensuring that products meet stringent safety and regulatory requirements. As a certified medical oxygen cylinder PSA manufacturer, we adhere to the highest standards for product consistency, safety, and reliability.
This certification demonstrates our commitment to patient safety, rigorous testing, and regulatory compliance, giving healthcare providers confidence in the quality and performance of our oxygen generation systems.
Difference Between Medical Air and Oxygen
Although both medical air and oxygen are vital in healthcare, they serve different purposes. Medical air is a purified air blend used for ventilating patients and does not have the high oxygen concentration required for treating respiratory conditions. In contrast, oxygen is used in higher concentrations for treating respiratory issues, including during emergencies. The main difference between medical air and oxygen lies in their composition and applications.
How to Buy Medical Gases?
Medical gases are typically purchased by medical institutions from specialised gas suppliers who provide gases in bottle form. However, strict storage regulations must be followed, and regular deliveries are necessary to ensure supply. In hospitals, the medical air system is a key factor for continuous supply. An alternative to external gas cylinder delivery is the on-site production of medical gases using special generators.
With their own compressors and gas generators, the constant availability of medical gases can be ensured. The OXYBERG® series PSA oxygen generators allow the on-site production of medical gases, offering a reliable, economical alternative to external gas deliveries. This reduces dependency on suppliers and enables continuous supply – ideal for healthcare institutions.
Producing Medical Gases On-Site
With modern technologies such as oxygen generators, it is now possible to produce medical gases on-site from ambient air. For example, our OXYBERG® oxygen generators achieve an oxygen purity level of 95% and are safe and ready for immediate use. This technology is ideal for hospitals and healthcare facilities that rely on a continuous supply of medical air and oxygen. Our oxygen generators provide a safe and reliable alternative to traditional cylinders, supporting compressed air medical applications in hospital settings.
For further information, please visit the page Hospital Oxygen Generators at BERG GaseTech.
Relevant Products for Oxygen Gas Production
At BERG Kompressoren, we offer a wide range of products for medical gas production and compressed air treatment.
Medical gases are an essential component of modern medicine. From ventilation to anaesthesia to surgery – without them, qualified care would not be possible. With our medical compressors and customised solutions, you can ensure that your supply is always reliable and efficient, without relying on external gas deliveries. Our medical air compressors are the optimal solution to guarantee a continuous supply in hospitals.
For further information and individual consultation, we are happy to assist you.