Oxygen is synonymous with life in the world of medical gases. When compressed at 200 bar in a cylinder, it becomes a specialist’s matter to integrate advanced functions in a safe and reliable valve system. Here are some elements that should be taken into account when designing such a system.
The concept of an oxygen cylinder valve combined with a pressure regulator and flow control system (VIPR) was born in the beginning of the 1990s. It resulted from the feedback gathered with medical staff using standard oxygen cylinders in hospitals, telling manufacturers about their handling difficulties and requests for a more user-friendly device.
Oxygen cylinders with standard valves used to be fitted with an additional pressure regulator and a flow meter, both provided by the hospital (who was also responsible for their maintenance). These would overhang from the cylinder, potentially unbalancing it with a risk of breaking the regulator and possibly causing an incident.
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