Abstract: A CO2 absorber bypass for an anesthesia machine includes a diverter for diverting exhaled gas to bypass the CO2 absorber of the anesthesia machine when the diverter is activated. The CO2 absorber bypass further includes a shunt for conveying the diverted exhaled gas, a coupler for connecting the shunt to the inhalation limb of the anesthesia machine, a shunt one way valve, a shunt adjustable pressure limiting valve, and a shunt reservoir. The CO2 absorber bypass allows the CO2 absorber to be changed while the exhalation limb conveys exhaled gas from a patient and the inhalation limb conveys gas to the patient.

Abstract: Anesthesia apparatus delivers anesthesia through flexible tubes in the patient-circuit. The tubes attach to inhalation and exhalation connectors on the CO2 absorber. A breath enters the tubing of the circuit, passes through a directional valve, through a pressure limiting-valve, and inflates a reservoir bag. The reservoir bag deflates on inhalation, and diffuses through the absorber. The CO2 depleted breath mixes with gas entering the circuit from the anesthesia apparatus, and enters the inhalation tube, thus returning to the patient This method of excluding the absorber entails a diverting valve, shunt tube, and a junction to the opposite limb of the circuit. The reservoir bag can be located at various sites and isolated as required during normal operation. Whenever components (diverting valve, reservoir bag, APL valve and junction), of the patient-circuit are excluded they can be included in the shunted circuit as needed. Cooling means and automatic actuation are options.

Abstract: Anesthetic agent positioning and conduit means are provided for anesthesia evaporators to position prepackaged, anesthetic agents, with respect to the anesthesia evaporator and to facilitate movement of the anesthetic agent from its package when so positioned and to conduct the anesthetic agent to a chamber within the evaporator for mixing with carrier gases and passage from the evaporator for anesthesia uses. In one embodiment the anesthetic agent is packaged in a bottle with an externally threaded neck and sealed by a membrane which, upon the bottle being threaded into a well carried by the evaporator, is severed by a spear-headed cutter disposed in the well that enables the anesthetic agent to pass from the bottle to the chamber. Fluid introduction means is provided in a modification to move air into the bottle and facilitate passage of anesthetic agent therefrom.