The Ideal Breathing System

Simple and safe to use

Delivers the right gas mixture
Allows all methods of ventilation in all age
groups
Efficient
Pressure relief
Sturdy, small and light
Allows easy removal of waste gases
Easy to maintain with low running costs
Breathing System Components
Fresh Gas connection
Patient connection
Adjustable Pressure Limiting (APL)
Valve
Reservoir (Bag or bellows)
Tubing
Waste gas connection
Open, semi open, semi closed?
Open is the old fashioned method of dropping
ether or chloroform over a gauze or lint. Later
modernised by the likes of the
Schimmelbusch mask.
Semi-open I classify as systems used today
such as the Mapleson systems.
Semi-closed and Closed systems use a CO2
absorbent so that the gases are re-circulated,
the classification is defined by the amount of
fresh gas flow.
Semi-open Systems
In the early 1950s, Prof. WW Mapleson
from University of Wales, Cardiff,
classified the several breathing systems
around depending on what components
they contained and what position they
took in the system.
It is known today as
The Mapleson Alphabet
The
Mapleson
Alphabet
The F was added later to
the alphabet
Semi-open Circuit Anaesthesia
This is typically used for induction of the
patient. It is usually a single limb system that
uses an APL valve to control the pressure of
the gas, and allows for waste gas to leave the
system.
High fresh gas flows (more than patients
minute volume) are required with these
systems to stop rebreathing of expired CO2.
Types of Semi-open Circuit
Systems
Mapleson D or Bain System
Mapleson A or Magill System
Mapleson A or Lack System
Mapleson F or Ayres T Piece System
Mapleson F with APL Valve
Mapleson C Bagging System

What FGFs are needed?
Mapleson Systems Uses FGF SV FGF IPPV
A
Magill
Lack
Spontaneous
Gen Anaesthesia
70-100
ml/kg/min
Min 3 x MV
B
Very uncommon,
not in use today
C
Resuscitation
Bagging
Min 15 lpm
D
Bain Spontaneous
IPPV, Gen. Anaes
150-200
ml/kg/min
70-100
ml/kg/min
E
Ayres T Piece Very uncommon,
not in use today

F
Jackson Rees Paediatric
<25 Kg
2.5 3 x MV
Min 4 lpm
Mapleson A (Magill) System
The Mapleson A or Magill system is good for
spontaneous breathing patients, so the fresh gas flow
can be lower. However as the APL valve is close to
the patient, it is regarded by many as difficult to use.

1950s
Mapleson A (Lack) System
The Mapleson A or Lack system is a modification of
the Magill where the valve is moved to the machine
end of the system using another length of tubing.
This adds volume to the system and makes it rather
heavy at the patient end.

1976
Mapleson D (Bain)
The Mapleson D or Bain System is a co-axial system
where the fresh gas is delivered directly to the
patient. It requires very high fresh gas flows to
prevent rebreathing of CO2. It is very convenient to
use, thus is very popular especially for induction, in
the UK!

1972
Mapleson F (Jackson Rees
Modification)
The Mapleson F or
Jackson Rees modification
of the Ayres T Piece is a
basic system for use with
very small patients. It is a
big disadvantage that you
cannot remove waste
gases safely.
Because this has a bag
with an open tail, it is
technically a Jackson-Rees
Modification system
Ayres 1937
JR - 1950
Mapleson F with APL Valve
Intersurgical decided to
modify the Jackson-
Rees by using a closed
tail bag and a specially
modified APL valve.
Now the waste gases
can be removed safely
from the system via the
APL valves 30mm
outlet.
1998
Mapleson C Bagging System
The Mapleson C is more
than an anaesthesia
system. It can be found
all over the hospital for
use as an emergency
bagging system for
resuscitation or manual
ventilation using
oxygen, as well as
being a standard
induction system in
some countries.
Semi Closed Circuit
Anaesthesia
This type of General Anaesthesia is used mainly
for maintenance of anaesthesia following
induction. It can be used for induction of
anaesthesia, but this is a slower process.
It requires an absorber system containing a CO
2

Absorbent to remove CO
2
from the expired
patient gases, and a high degree level of patient
monitoring, especially respiratory gas monitoring
to measure levels of inspired and expired CO
2
and the volatile agent.
Semi Closed Anaesthesia
Explained
Semi Closed Anaesthesia is where the expired
gases from the patient pass through a
canister in the breathing system which
contains a CO
2
absorbent. This absorbent by
an exothermic chemical reaction removes the
CO
2
, so the patients expired gases can be
rebreathed. Because of this exothermic
chemical reaction, some warmth and
humidity is added to the inspired gases.
Semi Closed Anaesthesia
Explained
Because the patients expired gases are re circulated
(where the circle comes from), this means that we
do not have to add so much fresh gas to the system
like an open system. So the fresh gas flow rate can
be reduced to low flow, i.e., 1 litre per minute. If the
flows were as low as a few hundred ccs of gas,
equivalent to the patients metabolic uptake of gases,
this would be closed circuit anaesthesia, or metabolic
(basal) flow, or minimal flow.
Circle systems were first used back in 1930 by Brian
Sword in the USA
Types of Semi Closed Circuit
System
Standard Parallel Y System
Extendible Parallel Y System
Complete Semi Closed Circuit Systems
Co-Axial Semi Closed Circuit Systems

Tight Connections
Remember, it is
important with
conical connectors
such as those used
on breathing
systems, always
connect with a firm
push and twist. This
will ensure a leak
tight connection.
The silver ion based anti-microbial
additive reduced the potential risk of
cross contamination from the outside of
the breathing system

Conclusion
This means that the anti-microbial
additive in Breathing Systems not only
inhibits bacterial growth but will reduce
colonisation on the circuit, and
therefore can reduce cross infection in
the ITU and the operating theatre

Well thats it!
I hope you now have a clearer
understanding of Breathing Systems
and Filtration. It really only leaves
me one thing to say:
TIGHT CONNECTIONS