Compressed Air in Medical Technology

Application in laboratories

In addition to utilisation in hospitals, compressed air is increasingly being used in laboratories. In order to exclude the danger of bacterial growth in these highly sensitive environments, compressed air must be absolutely germ-free and dry. Aseptic and dry conditions also protect against corrosion and deposits on high-quality laboratory facilities. In order to ensure concentrated work in laboratories, the devices and machinery used should be noise free - but also additionally usable as space-saving and mobile.

Compressed air is utilised in laboratories, among other things, for the following applications:

• Automatic sampler: Suction of samples, compressed air supported injection

• sterilisers: Heat-sensitive solutions or devices are sterilised under pressure in autoclaves -rheometer: Measuring device for determining the deformation and flow behaviour of matter. Compressed air is utilised here as the rheometer operates with air bearings

• nitrogen generators

• Blood analysis

• Metering liquids

• Gas chromatograph which are utilised as analysing methods for separation of mixtures in individual chemical compositions

Clinics and surgeries

A sterile environment is indispensable in medical areas such as clinics and surgeries. Compressed air must also be absolutely germ-free, oil-free and dry, so that the growth of micro-organisms is excluded.

Compressed air is utilised for the following applications in operating theatres and intensive care wards e.g. for:

• Sucking up blood and wound secretion from operations by utilising a medical vacuum.

• Compressed air for cooling when utilising lasers which e.g. are utilised for removing tattoos.

• Volume flow rate measurement for nebulisation medicines at the hospital bed

In doctors and dentists surgeries: Drive units for surgical instruments and tools, such as e.g. Using drills or the blowing out patient´s mouths.

Wellness and fitness

So-called oxygen therapy is of immense importance for medical technology, but is also gaining additional importance for applications in the fitness and wellness areas. Small and cost-effective devices are particularly important for these markets. Small adsorbers adsorb nitrogen and enrich the air with oxygen to increase the oxygen concentration in the blood plasma of patients. A possible growth of bacteria must be counteracted with extremely dry air and the use of antibacterial copper.

In addition to the short-term use for ventilation (refer to respiratory air in the hospital), medical compressed air is also utilised within the framework of a long-term oxygen therapy when patients suffer from chronic oxygen deficiency, or also for increasing the general condition of older people.

In the field of fitness, compressed air supports e.g. the simulation of a high-altitude training for competitive athletes.

• Acclimatisation to the lack of oxygen

• Periods in vacuum cabins