Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas sensor (100) comprising a measurement chamber (102) for measuring presence of a first gas, the first gas being nitrous oxide (N2O) and an optical source (103) for emitting radiation in the measurement chamber (102). The sensor also comprises a radiation detector (104) sensitive to radiation emitted by the optical source (103), the radiation being detected by the radiation detector (104) following passage through the measurement chamber (102). A diffusion layer (131) is configured to allow diffusion of ambient gas into and out from the measurement chamber (102), and the diffusion layer (131) comprises means (133) for preventing diffusion of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the ambient gas into the measurement chamber (102). The invention also relates a nitrous oxide detector comprising such a gas sensor, and a method for determining presence of nitrous oxide in the ambience.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide in a gas stream derived from exhalation air from a patient. The apparatus (1) comprises an inlet arrangement (2) with a gas inlet (3) for the exhalation air, an outlet arrangement (11) with a gas outlet (12) for an outlet gas, and between these arrangements a through-flow decomposition chamber (9) containing a catalyst material. According to the invention the apparatus is provided with a nitrous oxide adsorption/desorption means (4) in the inlet arrangement (2) for level out variations in the concentration of nitrous oxide fed to the decomposition chamber (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide in a gas stream derived from exhalation air from a patient. The apparatus (1) comprises an inlet arrangement (2) with a gas inlet (3) for the exhalation air, an outlet arrangement (11) with a gas outlet (12) for an outlet gas, and between these arrangements a through-flow decomposition chamber (9) containing a catalyst material. According to the invention the apparatus is provided with a nitrous oxide adsorption/desorption means (4) in the inlet arrangement (2) for level out variations in the concentration of nitrous oxide fed to the decomposition chamber (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to a face mask arrangement for alternately administering a gas I containing nitrous oxide and a gas II devoid of nitrous oxide to a patient, comprising a face mask, two inlet flow lines I and II for gas I and a gas II, respectively, which flow lines end in a breathing interface, and an outlet flow line for evacuation of exhaled gas. The two inlet flow lines merge into a common inlet part. Each of the inlet flow lines I and II comprises an inlet valve I and II, each of which is capable of opening in response to inhalation and of closing in response to exhalation. The arrangement comprises a switching means enabling switching between inhalation through inlet flow line I and inlet flow line II depending on the patient's immediate need of gas I or gas II.

Abstract: The invention relates to a face mask arrangement for alternately administering a gas I containing nitrous oxide and a gas II devoid of nitrous oxide to a patient, comprising a face mask, two inlet flow lines I and II for gas I and a gas II, respectively, which flow lines end in a breathing interface, and an outlet flow line for evacuation of exhaled gas. The two inlet flow lines merge into a common inlet part. Each of the inlet flow lines I and II comprises an inlet valve I and II, each of which is capable of opening in response to inhalation and of closing in response to exhalation. The arrangement comprises a switching means enabling switching between inhalation through inlet flow line I and inlet flow line II depending on the patient's immediate need of gas I or gas II.

Abstract: A system for collecting nitrous oxide in exhalation air and subsequently delivering the nitrous oxide to further processing which comprises a number of mutually replaceable adsorption units (201). Every unit has a nitrous oxide reversible adsorbent (213a) and: i) an inlet port (214a) and an outlet port (214b) for exhalation air, ii) an inlet port (215a) and an outlet port (215b) for desorbing gas, together with A) a docking arrangement (202) which is associated with adsorption of nitrous oxide and used for connecting a face mask (204) to the inlet port (214a), and B) a docking arrangement (203) which is associated with desorption of nitrous oxide and used for connecting the outlet port (215b) to further processing of nitrous oxide. Another aspect is an adsorption unit (201,301,401) unit as defined in the preceding paragraph which is capable of being regenerated by passing a desorbing gas through the adsorbent.

Abstract: An apparatus (100,200) for the removal of nitrous oxide in a gas stream (101,201) containing nitrous oxide which is derived from exhalation air and present in the gas stream in a concentration supporting exothermic decomposition of nitrous oxide. The apparatus has a main flow line (102,202) with: a) an inlet arrangement (103,203) with an inlet port (105,205), b) an outlet arrangement (104,204) with an outlet port (106,206), and between these arrangements c) a decomposition chamber (107,207). The main characteristic feature is that the decomposition chamber contains a catalyst material (108,208) promoting the decomposition of nitrous oxide to N2 and O2 together with a heat neutralizing medium (109,209).