Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 4.3-4 The surgical team at work on a draped patient.
protects the surgical field from contamination. An ''ether
screen'' is the wall of drapes set up in order to provide
a barrier between the anesthesia work area, at the head of
the patient, and the surgical field. Drapes are also placed
in the surgical field around the incision site to cover the
patient and to collect fluids. They also can be used to
wrap sterile surgical instruments and to cover equipment
in the surgical suite.
Anesthesia equipment
Figure 4.3-3 Typical OR layout showing OR table, overhead
lights, anesthesia machine and monitors, medication and supplies
cart, storage room, and wall outlets for gases.
The delivery of anesthesia requires a gas delivery system,
as well as continuous and detailed monitoring of patient
physiology. The anesthesia machine is used to deliver
a known mixture of gases to the patient. Three main
sections of the anesthesia machine are the gas supply and
delivery system, the vaporizer, and the patient breathing
circuit (see Chapter 4.4; Calkins, 1988 Dorsch and
Dorsch, 1984).
A variety of technologies are employed by the anes-
thesiologist to monitor the physiology of the anesthetized
patient. Physiological monitoring equipment includes
electrocardiograph monitors, pulse oximetry, invasive
blood pressure monitors, noninvasive blood pressure
monitors, temperature monitors, respiratory gas moni-
tors, and electroencephalograph monitors. Other devices
utilized by the anesthesiology department include in-
fusion devices and fluid warmers.
such as raising or lowering the height, tilting to the left or
right, Trendelenburg (head down, legs up), and reverse-
Trendelenburg. Surgical bed accessories include arm
support boards, leg supports, foot extensions, restraints,
and padding. They also can be outfitted with a wide va-
riety of specialized surgical positioning devices, such as
neurosurgical headrests,
radiolucent
tops,
and the
Andrews Frame used for spinal surgery.
Other standard items of furniture in the OR include
instrument tables, intravenous (IV) poles, waste storage
bins, stools, and chairs. Racks, carts, and shelving, used
to store medical supplies, surgical supplies, and in-
struments, are also common in a surgical suite.
Surgical drapes
Surgical instruments
Surgical drapes are used in the OR to protect the patient,
clinicians, and equipment. Drapes can be made of cloth
or paper, and reusable or disposable. Figure 4.3-4 shows
a surgical procedure underway with the patient draped.
Important characteristics include barrier protection ef-
fectiveness, resistance to ignition, and durability. Surgical
drapes are employed to provide a physical barrier that
Surgical instruments are hand-held tools or implements
used by clinicians for the performance of surgical tasks.
A vast assortment of instruments can be found in an op-
erating suite. Scalpels, forceps, scissors, retractors, and
clamps are used extensively. The nature of certain surgi-
cal procedures
requires a more specialized set of
Search WWH ::




Custom Search