Breathing circuit Buying Guide

I. Device Introduction

1. Device Overview Breathing circuits, as indispensable connecting components in the field of medical devices, are critical pathways for gas transmission. They typically appear as "straight" corrugated tubes or soft tubes, with some models possibly integrating a mouthpiece directly to suit different usage needs. This device is primarily made of medical-grade plastic or silicone rubber materials, ensuring safety upon contact with the human body. Its core function is to establish an effective connection between the gas source, nebulizer device, and the patient's respiratory tract, ensuring that nebulized medication or therapeutic gases can be accurately and safely delivered into the patient's body. This solves the critical problem of establishing a pathway between the device and the patient during drug nebulization inhalation or gas delivery, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of treatment. It is worth noting that breathing circuits are usually provided in a non-sterile state and may require cleaning before use or fall under the category of single-use items.

2. Introduction to Device Types Although breathing circuits do not have a complex classification system, they can be broadly divided into the following types based on their structural characteristics and functional integration:

   • Standard Connecting Circuits: Primarily simple corrugated or soft tubes that do not include additional patient interfaces. They serve as intermediate connectors, linking nebulizers or gas sources to external patient interfaces such as nebulizer masks or mouthpieces.
   • Integrated Mouthpiece Circuits: These circuits have a mouthpiece directly integrated into one end of the tube. Patients can directly inhale nebulized gas through the mouthpiece, simplifying the connection steps, especially suitable for conscious patients who can cooperate with oral inhalation.
   • Material Differences: According to manufacturing materials, they can be divided into plastic (such as PVC, PP, etc.) and silicone rubber circuits. Plastic circuits are usually lower in cost and mostly for single-use; silicone rubber circuits may have better flexibility and durability, but in this device description, they are generally provided non-sterile, implying their primary use as single-use products. Their core components include the tube body (which can be corrugated for increased flexibility or smooth for reduced resistance) and standard connectors at both ends for matching connection with nebulizers, masks, or mouthpieces.

3. Introduction to Device Functions The function of breathing circuits may seem simple, but it is crucial:

   • Efficient Gas Transmission Channel: As a physical bridge connecting the nebulizer, gas source, and patient's respiratory tract, it ensures that the liquid particles or therapeutic gases produced by the nebulizer can stably and undamaged pass through the circuit and effectively reach the patient's lungs or upper respiratory tract.
   • Universal Connectivity: Designed with good compatibility, it can flexibly connect different brands and types of nebulizers, nebulizer masks, or independent mouthpieces to adapt to diverse clinical treatment needs and individual patient conditions.
   • Material Safety: Made of medical-grade plastic or silicone rubber, these materials have undergone biocompatibility testing to ensure they are non-toxic and non-irritating upon contact with the human body, minimizing the risk of allergic reactions or other adverse events.
   • Non-Sterile Provision Characteristic: Clearly stated as a non-sterile product, which aligns with its intended use as an external connecting component, typically not directly contacting sterile tissues or blood. However, cleanliness and hygiene must still be ensured before use to avoid cross-contamination.

II. Scope of Application

1. Application Scenarios Breathing circuits are widely used in various settings, from professional medical institutions to home care:

   • Hospital Outpatient Clinics and Wards: Commonly used in respiratory departments, pediatrics, ENT departments, and inpatient wards for nebulization therapy for patients, such as relieving asthma attacks, treating bronchitis, and thinning sputum.
   • Emergency Rooms and Intensive Care Units (ICU): In emergency departments and ICUs, for patients with respiratory distress, airway spasms, or those requiring urgent nebulized medication, breathing circuits are key to rapidly establishing a nebulization treatment pathway.
   • Home Care: For patients with chronic respiratory diseases (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD) who undergo daily maintenance nebulization therapy at home, breathing circuits are essential for connecting home nebulizers to patients.
   • Community Medical Centers and Clinics: As important places providing basic medical services, breathing circuits are also commonly used to provide convenient nebulization therapy services for community residents.

2. Applicable Diseases and Symptoms Breathing circuits, as an auxiliary device for nebulization therapy, are mainly applicable to the following diseases or symptoms:

   • Respiratory Tract Infections: Such as bronchitis, pneumonia, pharyngitis, sinusitis, etc., by inhaling anti-inflammatory, antibacterial drugs or saline through nebulization to relieve inflammation and discomfort.
   • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Helps patients inhale bronchodilators to relieve airway spasms and improve ventilation function.
   • Bronchial Asthma: Used for inhaling bronchodilators or corticosteroids to rapidly relieve asthma attacks or for long-term control treatment.
   • Cystic Fibrosis: Helps patients inhale mucolytics to promote sputum expectoration.
   • Other situations requiring airway humidification or sputum thinning: Such as postoperative airway management, vocal cord edema, etc.
   • Related Symptoms: Cough, sputum, wheezing, dyspnea, sore throat, nasal congestion, etc. All conditions requiring treatment or symptom relief through nebulized drug inhalation are applicable.

3. Contraindicated Populations Although breathing circuits themselves have no direct contraindications, their use is closely related to nebulization therapy, so attention should be paid to the following situations:

   • Individuals without indications for nebulization therapy: For individuals without a clear need for nebulization therapy, it should not be used indiscriminately.
   • Individuals allergic to circuit materials: Although medical materials are generally low-allergenic, a very small number of patients may be allergic to plastic or silicone rubber components, and caution should be exercised.
   • Damaged or contaminated circuits: Any breathing circuit that shows damage, cracks, aging, or obvious contamination should be immediately discarded and prohibited from use, to avoid affecting treatment efficacy or introducing infection risks.
   • Re-users after single-use: For circuits clearly labeled for single-use, repeated use is strictly prohibited to prevent cross-infection and material performance degradation.

III. Usage Guidelines and Precautions

1. Method/Steps of Use or Operation Correct use of breathing circuits is key to ensuring the effectiveness of nebulization therapy and patient safety:

   1. Check and Prepare: Remove the breathing circuit from its packaging, carefully check that it is intact, free of foreign objects, cracks, or blockages. Confirm that the packaging is complete and within the expiration date.
   2. Connect to Nebulizer: Securely and tightly connect one end of the breathing circuit to the medication cup or outlet of the nebulizer (e.g., compressor nebulizer or ultrasonic nebulizer). Ensure no gas leakage at the connection point.
   3. Connect Patient Interface:
      • If the circuit does not contain a mouthpiece: Connect the other end of the circuit to an appropriate nebulizer mask (child or adult) or an independent oral mouthpiece, and ensure the connection is stable.
      • If the circuit contains a mouthpiece: Directly provide the mouthpiece at the end of the circuit to the patient, guiding the patient to hold it correctly in their mouth.
   4. Connect Gas Source (if applicable): If the nebulizer device requires an external gas source (e.g., oxygen cylinder, air compressor), ensure the gas source tubing is correctly connected to the nebulizer device's inlet and adjusted to the required flow rate.
   5. Start Nebulization: Follow the nebulizer's operating instructions to start the device, observing whether a stable mist is produced from the patient interface and passes smoothly through the circuit.
   6. Guide Patient to Inhale: Guide the patient to sit comfortably, breathe deeply and slowly, inhaling the nebulized medication through the mask or mouthpiece until the medication in the cup is depleted or the treatment time ends.
   7. End of Treatment and Disposal: After treatment, turn off the nebulizer and gas source. Carefully remove the breathing circuit. For single-use circuits, dispose of them properly according to medical waste disposal regulations.

2. Common Error Reminders To ensure safe and effective treatment, users should be aware of the following common errors:

   • Loose or Leaking Circuit Connections: This is the most common error, leading to nebulized medication leakage, insufficient patient inhalation dosage, and significantly reduced treatment efficacy. Suggestion: Before each use, always check that all connection points are secure and seamless. Gently pull or press the connections to confirm their stability.
   • Blocked, Kinked, or Flattened Circuit: Accumulation of fluid inside the circuit, foreign objects, or external pressure/kinking can obstruct gas flow, leading to poor or no nebulization. Suggestion: Before use, check that the inside of the circuit is clean and unobstructed. During use, avoid the circuit being pressed by heavy objects, excessively bent, or knotted.
   • Reusing Single-Use Circuits: Reusing single-use circuits not only increases the risk of cross-infection but may also lead to material aging and performance degradation, affecting nebulization efficacy. Suggestion: Strictly adhere to product instructions. For circuits labeled for single-use, always discard them immediately after each treatment.
   • Failure to Check Circuit Integrity: Not carefully checking the circuit for visible cracks, damage, or signs of aging can lead to gas leakage, medication waste, or even inhalation of circuit fragments. Suggestion: Before each use, perform a thorough visual inspection of the circuit to ensure it is intact and undamaged.
   • Improper Cleaning or Storage (for reusable circuits, if any): Although this product is described as non-sterile, if there are reusable circuit types, incomplete cleaning or damp storage environments can foster bacterial growth. Suggestion: Follow product instructions for proper cleaning, disinfection, and storage, avoiding direct sunlight and hot, humid environments.
   • Selecting Incompatible Circuits: Using a circuit that is incompatible with the nebulizer, mask, or mouthpiece interface may result in inability to connect or unstable connection. Suggestion: Before selecting and using, confirm that the interface size and type of the breathing circuit are fully compatible with the nebulizer equipment and patient interface being used.