Recovery times

I bclievc. he constructed for tens rather than hundreds of pounds. In addition, it has the added safety of leaving the bag in the system during controllcd vcntilation and the pressure gauge in the system during spontaneous ventilation. To cling to the doctrine that a Mapleson A system niiisi be used for spontaneous breathing during anaesthesia requires a system such as Dr Humphrey‘s where a lever nus t be incorporated, w8ith the disatlvantages outlined above. I t is perhaps more acceptable to surfer the increased gas consumption and gain the benefit of lower capital cost, increased safety with r.0 levcr and thc practical advantages of a .lightweight system. Having accepted the use of a Bain system for both spontancous and controllcd ventilation. my apparatus was designed to ease the changeover between the tWo and to add several safety features. To change modes with a normal Bain system requires removal of the reservoir bag and replacement with ventilator supply tubing and closure of the cxpiratory valvc. Dr Humphrey’s ADE system does not require components to be moved but does require the operation of a lever-controlled mechanism. This has two disadvantages. Firstly, it is possible for the lever Lo be in the wrong position, with poor consequences for the patient. Secondly. the mcchanisni. nceding to be airtight. requires machining to close tolerances. This must add considerably to the cost of the Humphrey ADE system, whose current price Is f251.90 excluding VAT. My dcvicc has no levers or machined parts and could,