Application of Industrial Gases in Healthcare

​Industries manufacture gases for use in various settings, including domestic, commercial, and healthcare. Medical gases differ from those used in other sectors due to their medical-grade quality. The purification they undergo ensures they are effective and safe to use. Each type serves specific purposes.

Medical air, a refined and compressed form of atmospheric air, has undergone purification to remove contaminants, particles, color, and odor. Hospitals and clinics use medical air for respiration, particularly in intensive care units and during surgery, to ensure the patient breathes comfortably. Before patient administration, medical air undergoes humidification to prevent respiratory mucosa from drying and to minimize potential complications. Beyond respiratory support, this gas is helpful in calibrating medical devices, powering surgical tools and equipment, assisting in sterilization, and more.

Medical liquid nitrogen, a clear, odorless gas, is invaluable in healthcare because of its very low temperatures. This property makes it suitable for preserving blood samples, tissues, and cells by keeping them frozen. Its inert nature allows for preserving medical gas systems and biological materials without the risk of chemical reactions or contamination. Doctors also use this gas to eliminate cancerous tissues, while dermatologists employ it to remove dead skin lesions. Although generally safe, medical liquid nitrogen requires proper handling and care due to the risk of suffocation in confined spaces.

Widely used in healthcare is medical oxygen, a highly pure gas that supports respiratory functions. It is particularly vital for patients experiencing respiratory insufficiencies after major traumas; it alleviates breathing difficulties and sustains life. Administration varies based on the patient's condition: hospitals use ventilators for patients in critical care, ambulances face masks for emergency victims, and nasal cannula is ideal for home settings. While vital for life support, medical staff should be aware of oxygen's high combustibility nature.

Nitrous oxide serves as an anesthetic. Although more research is necessary to understand its operational mechanism, experts trust it hinders pain transmission within the nervous system. Dentists also use this gas as an analgesic, reducing dental procedure-associated discomforts. In situations where nitrous oxide may pose risks, patients receive special wristbands to alert medical staff. Additionally, nitrous oxide is known for its rapid onset and recovery, allowing patients to return to daily activities soon after treatment.

A related medical gas, nitric oxide helps treat high blood pressure, especially in newborns, due to its vasodilatory properties that enhance blood flow in the lungs and heart. It also has anti-inflammatory effects that benefit patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, characterized by lung inflammation. However, its potential toxicity requires careful monitoring during administration.

Helium, a non-reactive gas, much like medical nitrogen, can reach extremely low temperatures. One of its primary medical applications is respiratory therapy, where, when combined with oxygen (heliox), the low-density mixture allows for smoother airflow, helping patients with breathing difficulties. A common condition where the combination assists with airway obstructions is in treating asthma. Liquid helium's cooling properties also enable the superconductivity of magnets, making it ideal for magnetic resonance imaging functions. As an inert, non-toxic gas, helium is generally safe for use.

Danna Leblanc

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