Circle System diagram

Circle system's overall flow

The inhaled delivery of volatile anesthetic agents require that they be vaporized in order to be delivered to the patient with the same accuracy as other gases (O2 and NO2). It enters the fresh gas inlet and the gas starts to flow through the inspiratory unidirectional valve with increased pressure. While the Insp. Unidirectional valve is open the Expiratory has to remain closed. It then travels to the Inspiratory limb and into the patients lungs. Then volatile anesthetic travels to the Expiratory limb after exhalation, to the Exp. Unidirectional valves pressure rises up and lets the volatile anesthetic out. From here the volatile anesthetic can head to etiher the Resevoir bag to allow for the patient to get the next inhalation. Or to the APL valve that will allow pressure control in the breathing circuit, but if there is to much pressure built up it will lead to the Scavenging system and could either collect the volatile anesthetic or let it out into the OR. If the volatile anesthetic makes it to the CO2 absorber it removes the CO2 from the breathing circuit with the help of the granules inside of it. To prevent rebreathing of carbon dioxide that could lead to respiratory acidosis. Once out the process cycles through again.

Fresh Gas Inlet

Fresh Gas Inlet is usually connected to the common gas outlet. The purpose of the fresh gas inlet is to take the gas flow from the vaporizer and flow meters to the breathing system. In the GE machine there's an actual fresh gas inlet that is separate from the common gas outlet.

Reservoir Bag

The reservoir bag is there in case if the patient needs to take deeper breaths. It allows the patient to take O2 from the reservoir to meet the oxygen needs. Acts as a reservoir , monitor breathing, and bagging.

Expiratory Unidirectional Valve

The Expiratory Unidirectional Valve opens up when the Inspiratory valve closes. It allows the previous exhaled gases to flow through the expiratory unidirectional valve iaway from the patient.

Expiratory Limb

The Expiratory limb goes into effect when the patient exhales and is no longer inspiring the reversal happens and the Expiratory limb opens which will take the gasses back into the system.

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Inspiratory Unidirectional Valve

The point of the unidirectional flow is to control which way gas is flowing. So when the Insp. Unidirectional Valve is working and is pushing gas flow toward the patient during inhalation the Exp. Unidirectional valve side is closed.

Inspiratory Limb

The Inspiratory limb is consisting of fresh gas inflow and CO2 that flows out to inspiratory limb then to the patient.

Scavenging System

The purpose of the Scavenging System is to collect and take away anesthetic waste from the OR. The system is either opened or closed and there is two types of scavenger systems the movement of waste gas that can either be Active or Passive.

CO2 Absorber

CO2 absorber makes the rebreathing of exhalation possible. It prevents respiratory acidosis from rebreathing CO2. The granules from the CO2 absorbent will change color when the absorbent has been exhausted and it must be changed.

APL Valve

The Adujustable Pressure-Limiting Valve, unless if the ventilator is being used it is the only gas exit from the breathing system. It releases anesthetic gases into the scavenging system. It also provides pressure control in the breathing circuit during manual bag ventilation (APL valve should be closed if manual bag ventilation is being used).