Hamilton G5 - Enabling CO; CO 2 Mainstream Measurement; Introduction; Selecting CO

624074/07 3-5
3.1.1 Enabling CO
2
To operate CO
2
select Configuration -> Options .
Figure 3-1. Selecting CO
2
3.1.2 CO
2
mainstream measurement
3.1.2.1 Introduction
The CO
2
sensor is a mainstream, solid-state infrared sensor. It
is attached to an airway adapter that connects to an tracheal
(ET) tube or other airway. From this point it measures gases
flowing through these breathing circuit components.
The sensor generates infrared light and beams it from one side
through the airway adapter or sample cell to a detector on the
opposite side. CO
2
from the patient, flowing through the
mainstream airway adapter or aspirated into the sample cell,
absorbs some of this infrared energy. The HAMILTON-G5 deter-
mines the CO
2
concentration in the breathing gases by
measuring the amount of light absorbed by gases flowing
through the airway or sample cell.