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Demand valve

Inhalational analgesic 

ENTONOX is a ready-to-use medical gas mixture consisting of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen for use in all situations where healthcare professionals need to administer an analgesic with rapid onset and offset. It is used for pain relief in midwifery and for a variety short term procedures such as colonoscopy, fracture reduction, drain removal, venous cannulation to name but a few.

Self-Administration 

The gas mixture is normally self-administered under medical supervision. If the patient receives more gas than necessary, they will become drowsy causing them to drop the mouthpiece or mask and the gas will stop flowing. As ENTONOX administration ceases and the patient breathes ambient air, the effects rapidly wear off.

ENTONOX is generally administered via a mouthpiece attached to a demand valve system. The demand valve can be fitted to either a standard pipeline wall outlet or to the regulator on the cylinder. By the patient breathing normally through the mouthpiece the demand valve is opened and the gas delivered. The gas flows out of the equipment and is absorbed through the lungs. The valve closes when the patient stops inhaling.

Alternatively, the gas may be delivered using a face mask. By the patient holding the mask securely around the mouth and nose and breathing normally the gas will be delivered.

Demand Valve 

BOC can supply an ENTONOX demand valve system from its Carnét equipment range. Unlike conventional demand valve systems, this demand valve doesn’t require a separate patient filter – it uses a special disposable exhalation valve for single patient use.

This unique feature minimises gas flow restrictions, making it easier for the patient to inhale the gas, and avoids contamination as the exhaled air does not flow back through the handset. Designed for use in busy healthcare environments, the Carnét Demand Valve is robust, lightweight, comfortable and easily cleaned and comes with a four year warranty.

With a traditional demand valve exhaled breath moves back through the handset, therefore, a separate in-line filter needs to be fitted to avoid contamination and ensure compliance to BS 5682 standard. This results in an increased level of patient effort.

Diagram of Carnet Demand Valve 

The single patient use Exhalation Valve which connects to the Carnét Demand Valve vents exhaled breath away from the handset reducing any risk of contamination and ensuring BS 5682 standard is met.  This unique feature lowers resistance and decreases the level of patient effort required.

Click here for more details on this unique demand valve system

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