Leak detector for medical gas pipeline systems

We describe an original device developed by the biomedical technicians of t he University Hospital of Nancy for checking tightness and measuring the ca pacity of medical gas pipeline network. A leak can be assessed either as a loss of pressure or as a loss of volume per unit of time (cmH(2)O . min(-1) and mL.min(-1) respectively). To assess the latter, the capacity of the ex plored pipeline must have been measured when it still was gas-tight. With t he device, a leak can be assessed within a few minutes whereas the official procedure requires a delay between 1 and 24 hours. The device still has to undergo bench evaluation and validation. (C) 1999 Editions scientifiques e t medicales Elsevier SAS.