Drager Apollo Anesthesia Machine

February 13, 2019
Drager Apollo

Drager Apollo Anesthesia Machine

Anesthesia is essential to almost all invasive surgeries. Anesthesia allows the body to become desensitized for a short while to pain. This allows a surgeon to safely operate on a patient who is under anesthesia. This reduces the compulsions the patient may have to move and intends for the surgeon to not puncture themself or the patient. The Drager Apollo is a reliable and technologically advanced anesthesia machine used for invasive surgeries. Continue reading more.

Where The Drager Apollo Can Be Used

The Drager Apollo is an inhalation anesthesia machine that is typically used in an operating, induction, and recovery room. It can be used with rebreathing systems, semi-closed to virtually closed systems with low flow and minimal flow techniques, and non-rebreathing systems, with the Auxiliary Common Gas Outlet.

It can be used with O2, N2O, and air supplied by a medical gas pipeline system or by externally mounted gas cylinders. The anesthetic agent is delivered via anesthesia vaporizers.

Equipped on the Apollo is a compact breathing system, providing fresh-gas decoupling, PEEP, and pressure limitation. It has an electrically driven and electronically controlled ventilator.

MEDIBUS Protocol

MEDIBUS is a software protocol for use in transferring data between the Apollo and an external medical or non-medical device such as hemodynamic monitors, data management systems, or a Windows-based computer. The data is transferred using the RS-232 interface.

Drager Apollo Features

Drager is known as an industry leader for capital medical equipment. The Apollo has many technological features. Features include user-friendly ergonomics, a unique breathing bag arm design for ultimate flexibility, and a straightforward startup. Other features include full ventilation, automatic self-tests, E-vent, and gas flow reduction capabilities.

Backup Battery

The Apollo has a built-in uninterruptible power supply UPS which maintains the power supply for up to 90 minutes, depending on the ventilation parameters, in the event of a mains power failure, provided the battery is fully charged. Switching to battery power, or UPS, takes place automatically and is indicated on the screen by the message: “POWER FAIL”. The battery recharges automatically when the anesthesia machine is plugged into the mains.

Optional Volume AF (Auto Flow)

The Apollo has the optional ventilation mode Volume AF, which is a pressure-controlled ventilation mode with a guaranteed tidal volume VT and frequency Freq. as well as optional synchronization activation and variable Pressure Support for spontaneous breathing efforts.

Volume AF combines the advantages of pressure-controlled and volume-controlled ventilation modes. The set tidal volume VT is delivered in a pressure-controlled ventilation mode. The inspiratory pressure automatically adapts to the set tidal volume, limited by a maximum pressure PMAX. When starting the ventilation with Volume AF, the first mandatory breath is volume-controlled to identify the necessary pressure level, if not known from a previous mode.

Pressure-Controlled Ventilation

Pressure-controlled ventilation has a fixed pressure limitation PINSP and frequency Freq. as well as optional synchronization and variable Pressure Support for spontaneous breathing efforts.

Continuous pressure is applied to the patient during the inspiratory time TINSP. The rate at which the pressure curve rises is preset via the rise time TSLOPE. Synchronization and Pressure Support are controlled by the sensitivity of the flow trigger and the level of ΔPPS. The maximum time interval for controlled ventilation is set via the frequency. To maintain a constant frequency, a time interval triggered prematurely is compensated in the next cycle.

Optional Pressure Support Ventilation

For patients with spontaneous breathing, the Drager Apollo has a pressure-assisted ventilation mode. Synchronization and Pressure Support for the spontaneous breathing efforts are controlled by the sensitivity of the flow trigger and by the levels of ΔPPS. The rate at which the pressure curve rises is preset by the rise time TSLOPE.

The maximum inspiratory time for a spontaneous breathing stroke varies according to age. a.5 seconds for patients aged 4 years and younger, and 4 seconds for patients over 4 years old. Inspiration is ended as soon as the current inspiration flow drops below 25% of the inspiratory peak flow. Any leakage is compensated simultaneously with the actual airway pressure.

Apnea ventilation can additionally be set with the minimum frequency of Freqmin. The ventilator is automatically triggered by Freqmin if there is spontaneous breathing activity by the patient.

Optional Continuous Positive Airway Pressure CPAP – in Pressure Support Mode

The pressure support option on the Apollo is enhanced with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). CPAP allows the patient to breathe spontaneously on an increased pressure level and therefore helps to increase the functional residual capacity. It is indicated for use only in patients who are breathing spontaneously.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is activated in Pressure Support when the value for the Pressure Support ΔPPS is set <= 2 cmH2O.

Drager Apollo Specifications

This anesthesia machine weighs around 365 pounds and is easily transportable on a set of four casters, that can lock into place to securely stay in one location during surgeries. Integrated power backup happens at least every 30 and 90 minutes depending on the ventilation parameters. An external fresh gas outlet is optional.

The ventilator is electronically operated and electronically controlled. The operating modes are manual, spontaneous, volume, pressure mode, synchronized volume control ventilation, pressure controlled ventilation, and volume guaranteed ventilation with options of pressure support and volume autoflow.

There are many inputs for control changes. These input values include pressure limitation PMAX & PINSP, PEEP, tidal volume, trigger, breathing frequency, breathing time ratio, inspiratory time, inspiratory pause and flow, system leakage tightness, and integrated safety functions.

The breathing system is heated. Gas Monitoring has both inspiratory and expiratory concentrations of O2, N2O, CO2, and volatile anesthetics. The control screen is full color and a little over 12 inches.

Monitoring With The Drager Apollo

The Drager Apollo has three basic screens for the display of monitoring information. Standard, data, and trend. The gas measurement and gas delivery windows remain displayed on all three screens, but the information presented in the graphical/numerical window will change depending on the selected screen and user configuration.

The following parameters are displayed on the Drager Apollo

  • CO2 Concentration
  • O2 Concentration
  • Anesthetic Gas
  • Airway Pressure
  • Respiratory Flow and Volume
  • SpO2 Concentration (Optional)
  • Loops (Optional)
  • Virtual Flow Tubes
  • Gas Supply Module
  • Ventilation Source Module
  • Vt/PAW Module
  • ΔVt Module
  • Low Flow Wizard
  • Volumeter Module
  • The Tidal Volume
  • The Minute Volume

Mixture Detection

The Apollo automatically detects the anesthetic gas used and switches the measurement and monitoring of anesthetic gas concentration to the gas detected.

If there is a mixture of two volatile anesthetic agents, the concentration of the secondary anesthetic agent is displayed if the xMAC value is 0.1 MAC or greater. The gas with the higher expiratory xMAC value is displayed above the secondary anesthetic agent.

A secondary anesthetic agent becomes the main anesthetic agent if its xMAC value exceeds the MAC value of the main anesthetic agent by 0.2 MAC.

Requesting an Anesthesia Machine

If you are interested in purchasing this anesthesia machine, or another, we are happy to assist with these needs. Our knowledgeable sales representatives are willing to work with you on any quotes you or your facility may need. Representatives can be reached at 1-800-GET-SOMA or [email protected].

Final Thoughts

Have you ever used the Drager Apollo anesthesia machine, or have you used another brand? Do you find that you trust the Drager name, or do you prefer another brand name like GE or Philips? Are the anesthesia features you would like to see, or some that you dislike using? Comment below!

4 comments

  1. A Drager Apollo Anesthesia machine has been donated to the Anesthesia Tech. program at Skyline College in San Bruno, California. I am looking for information on Pipeline inlets to find inlet hose connectors that will fit. Can you advise me on what kind of connectors to order for N2O, Air, and O2?

  2. Dear Sir/Ma’am,

    I am Dr.Kumaraswamy. I am using Drager Apollo anesthesia machine. It was wonderful. Unfortunately, my machine display was gone.so I am searching for a display panel for my Drager Apollo. I need your guidance. Since this model is not in India I am worried. Kindly help me.

    1. Hello Dr. Kumaraswamy,

      We have sent your contact information over to our Medical Parts department. They will reach out to you as soon as possible regarding the Drager Apollo display.

      Thank you for contacting Soma Tech Intl. We hope you have a wonderful day!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore Other Blog Items By Category