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The oxygen and nitrous oxide indices of flammability of endotracheal tubes determined by laser ignition
Author(s) -
Simpson Joseph I.,
Wolf Gerald L.,
Rosen Arie,
Krespi Yosef,
Schiff Gerald A.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-199109000-00009
Subject(s) - flammability , nitrous oxide , ignition system , oxygen , materials science , composite material , anesthesia , chemistry , organic chemistry , medicine , thermodynamics , physics
This study determines the flammability of polyvinylchloride (PVC), red rubber (RR), and silicone (Si) endotracheal tubes in oxygen‐ and nitrous‐oxide‐enriched atmospheres. Flammability is measured by using the oxygen and nitrous oxide indices of flammability with laser ignition. The laser‐ignited oxygen (O 2 ) index of flammability of the endotracheal tubes is: PVC, 0.25; RR, 0.19; Si, 0.20. The laser‐ignited nitrous oxide (N 2 O) index of flammability of the endotracheal tubes is: PVC, 0.45; RR, 0.37; and Si, 0.41. These results are similar to the previously reported O 2 and N 2 O indices of flammability with propane‐torch ignition. This study validates the concept that the indices of flammability are useful measures of endotracheal tube flammability and are independent of the ignition source.