oxygen blender
Medical device that precisely mixes oxygen and compressed air to deliver specific oxygen concentrations for patient therapy.
Full Definition
An oxygen blender is a precision medical device that combines oxygen and compressed air in exact proportions to deliver a specific fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) to patients. The device uses pressure-reducing valves and flow control mechanisms to ensure accurate gas mixing across a range of oxygen concentrations, typically from 21% to 100%. Oxygen blenders are essential components in respiratory therapy, allowing clinicians to titrate oxygen delivery to meet individual patient needs while avoiding unnecessarily high oxygen concentrations that could cause oxygen toxicity. The device includes built-in alarms to alert users to gas supply failures, pressure variations, or mixing inaccuracies. Blenders are commonly used with mechanical ventilators, high-flow nasal cannula systems, and other respiratory care devices requiring precise oxygen control.
In Context
- "The oxygen blender was set to deliver 40% FiO2 to the mechanically ventilated patient." — Ventilator setup documentation
- "The respiratory therapist calibrated the oxygen blender to ensure accurate gas mixing before connecting it to the high-flow system." — Equipment maintenance log