Definition
Bellows are classified according to their movement during EXPIRATION.
Ascending bellows rise during expiration and descending bellows fall during expiration. Most modern anesthesia machines have ascending bellows because they are thought to be safer. Ascending bellows are safer because if a circuit disconnection occurs, the bellows will not fill. If there is a complete circuit disconnect with descending bellows, the bellows will continue to rise and fall and the disconnection can go unrecognized.
Subspecialty
Related Media
Keyword history
83%/2014
85%/2011
See Also:
Sources
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Miller’s Anesthesia, 7th edition. Chapter 25: Inhaled Anesthetic Delivery Systems.