Nitrous oxide anesthetic adminstration system

Abstract

A system and method for administering nitrous oxide to a patient has a fluid control system that allows a user to monitor and control the supply of gases to a patient. A shutoff valve allows a user to selectively activate the fluid control system. Oxygen flow is adjusted by a flow controlling valve. A differential pressure regulator allows flow of nitrous oxide in response to sufficient oxygen flow. Flow of the nitrous oxide is further controlled by a ratio controlling valve. A display shows the flow of the gases through the fluid control system. A flush valve allows a user to flush the output with oxygen. A flow indicator light may be included. An optional output selector allows the user to direct the flow to one of various output ports. An optional safety scavenge valve prevents operation of the fluid control system when there is insufficient scavenge vacuum pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid control system for administering nitrous oxide and oxygen, comprising:
 a fluid control system for controlling the flow of nitrous oxide and oxygen;   a nitrous oxide and oxygen supply fluidly connected to the fluid control system;   a vacuum source fluidly connected to the fluid control system; and   a safety scavenge system connected to the fluid control system.   
     
     
         2 . A method for administering nitrous oxide, comprising the following steps:
 providing a fluid flow generated by a vacuum source;   providing nitrous oxide fluid from a nitrous oxide source;   providing oxygen from an oxygen source;   controlling the flow of oxygen through a fluid control system;   connecting a safety scavenge system to a fluid connection between the nitrous oxide source and said vacuum source;   releasing the nitrous oxide through said safety scavenge system upon a vacuum source reaching or exceeding one or more predetermined ranges; and   shutting off the nitrous oxide when the scavenging vacuum pressure is less than the one or more predetermined ranges.   
     
     
         3 . A system for administering nitrous oxide, comprising:
 a fluid control system for controlling the flow of nitrous oxide and oxygen;   a nasal delivery interface system fluidly connected to the fluid control system, said nasal   delivery interface system including a scavenging tube and a nitrous oxide and oxygen tube fluidly connected to a nasal delivery mask;   a nitrous oxide and oxygen supply fluidly connected to the fluid control system;   a vacuum source fluidly connected to the scavenging tube for scavenging excess gases;   the fluid control system includes a safety scavenge system, the safety scavenge system comprising:
 a mass airflow sensor for reading scavenging vacuum pressure fluidly connected to the scavenging tube before the vacuum source; 
 a master controller in electrical communication with the mass airflow sensor for receiving the scavenging vacuum pressure reading from the mass airflow sensor which is compared to a predetermined range; and 
 an alarm in electrical communication with the master controller which instructs the alarm to activate if the scavenging vacuum pressure is less than a first predetermined range.